From Mermen to Architeuthis, Our Fascination with the Giant Squid

Humans have long been captivated by what we now call the giant squid (Architeuthis). This image gallery gives a glimpe into our fascination with the animal. For a long time, people saw mysterious movements in the water or found dead giant squid and didn't know what they were—and even confused a giant squid carcass with a merman or mermaid. Now we know otherwise, but it took a long time for scientific evidence to replace the myths about giant squid.

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Mermen? Sea Monks? Or Giant Squid?

People once thought giant squid (right) were mermen (left)—mythical creatures that were part fish-like and part human male.

Mermen? Sea Monks? Or Giant Squid?:

People once thought giant squid (right) were Sea Monks or mermen (left)—mythical creatures that were part fish-like and part human male.

CREDIT: Roeleveld & Knudsen, 1980

Rev. Harvey Buys a Giant Squid

Rev. Harvey Buys a Giant Squid:

In 1874, Reverend Moses Harvey of Newfoundland bought a dead giant squid caught by fishermen.

CREDIT: © Martin G. Roper

Rev. Harvey’s Giant Squid on Display

Rev. Harvey’s Giant Squid on Display:

In 1874 Reverend Moses Harvey of Newfoundland displayed the giant squid he bought on the side of his barn, much to the dismay of Mrs. Harvey.

CREDIT: © Martin G. Roper

First Giant Squid Photo

This 1874 photo of a squid draped over a bathtub was the first ever taken of a giant squid. It belonged to Reverend Moses Harvey of Newfoundland.

First Giant Squid Photo:

This 1874 photo of a squid draped over a bathtub was the first ever taken of a giant squid. It belonged to the Reverend Moses Harvey of Newfoundland.

CREDIT: From Verrill, A.E., 1882, Report on the Cephalopods of the Northeastern Coast of America

First Scientific Illustration of Giant Squid

First Scientific Illustration of Giant Squid:

Published in 1882 by Yale Professor A.E. Verrill, this is the first scientific illustration of a giant squid.

CREDIT: From Verrill, A.E., 1882, Report on the Cephalopods of the Northeastern Coast of America

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the slideshow did not work.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/03/2010 - 5:46pm.

Thanks for your comment about the slideshow. We've been working on it, and it should be fixed now.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 2:10pm.

i dont understand is it a giant squid or a mermen a myth i cant believe this oh come on

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 8:16am.

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Ocean Portal by The Smithsonian Institution