495-kilo giant squid defrosted

INTRO: Scientists in New Zealand have taken a colossal squid off ice to find out more about the creature.

MOREINFO: The 495 kilogram (1,089 pounds) squid was caught by a deep sea fishing boat in Antarctic waters in 2007, and was given to the Te Papa museum in New Zealand. The 8 metre long (26 feet) colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) lives at depths of around 2000 metres in seas between Antarctica and New Zealand. The deep sea creature has been frozen for more than a year, and is now being defrosted so that scientists can dissect it to discover more about the species.

SCRIPT:

Weighing in at just under half a tonne, this is a huge catch.

The colossal squid is the largest of its kind ever to be caught and preserved. Now scientists at a museum in New Zealand are defrosting the creature and preparing it for dissection.

The scientists have up to 8 hours to find out more about the squid before it starts to decay. Marine biologist Steven O'Shea says there's a lot to discover.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARINE BIOLOGIST FROM AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, STEVEN O'SHEA SAYING:

"In 2003 when we had the first specimen we didn't have any eyes and when we put the certain gadget in the water here we saw two of the most sensational eyes and they are both perfect. So that is a highlight, that is probably the best thing so far, there's more to come."

The huge eyes are 27 centimetres wide, and its tentacles are lined with hundreds of sharp hooks so it can catch its prey.

As for tucking in to a calamari starter, it seems this squid doesn't taste too bad.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARINE BIOLOGIST FROM AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, STEVEN O'SHEA SAYING:

"(I neither confirm nor deny.) The interesting thing about it is that it was nonammoniacal, that is the important thing as far as we are concerned it tasted good apparently."

After dissection the squid will be embalmed and displayed at the museum.

Basmah Fahim, Reuters.

squid n. pl. squids or squid

Any of various marine cephalopod mollusks of the genus Loligo and related genera, having a usually elongated body, ten arms surrounding the mouth, a vestigial internal shell, and a pair of triangular or rounded fins.

catch v. caught (kôt), catch·ing, catch·es

v.tr.

1. To capture or seize, especially after a chase.

2. To take by or as if by trapping or snaring.

3.a. To discover or come upon suddenly, unexpectedly, or accidentally: He was caught in the act of stealing.

b. To become cognizant or aware of suddenly: caught her gazing out the window.

4.a. To take hold of, especially forcibly or suddenly; grasp: caught me by the arm; caught the reins.

b. To grab so as to stop the motion of: catch a ball.

5.a. To overtake: The green car caught me on the straightaway.

b. To reach just in time; take: caught the bus to town; catch a wave.

6.a. To hold, as by snagging or entangling.

b. To cause to become suddenly or accidentally hooked, entangled, or fastened: caught my hem on the stair.

c. To hold up; delay: was caught in traffic for an hour.

7. To hit; strike: a punch that caught me in the stomach.

8. To check (oneself) during an action: I caught myself before replying.

9. To become subject to or to contract, as by exposure to a pathogen: catch a cold.

10.a. To become affected by or infused with: caught the joyous mood of the festival.

b. To suffer from the receipt of (criticism, for example): caught hell for being late.

11.a. To take or get suddenly, momentarily, or quickly: We caught a glimpse of the monarch.

b. To hear or listen to: caught the news bulletin on the radio; didn't catch the end of your sentence

12.a. To grasp mentally; apprehend: I don't catch your meaning.

b. To apprehend and reproduce accurately by or as if by artistic means: an impressionist who caught the effects of wind and water in his paintings.

13. To attract and fix; arrest: couldn't catch their attention; caught the teacher's eye.

14. To charm; captivate.

15. To deceive: failed to be caught by their fraudulent schemes.

16.a. Informal To go to see (a performance, for example): caught the midnight show.

b. To get (something required), usually quickly or for a brief period: catch some sleep.

hooks - large strong hand (as of a fighter); "wait till I get my hooks on him"

tuck in To make (a child, for example) secure in bed for sleep, especially by tucking bedclothes into the bed.

ca·la·ma·ri n. Squid prepared as food.