Big Squid Gets Cooked
By Faith Smith
Colossal by name and colossal by nature - a squid caught in February weighing half a tonne could provide restaurants with calamari rings the size of tractor tyres! But scientists are having trouble defrosting their fishy friend.
The colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamilton), measuring a massive 10 metres (33ft) in length, was frozen as soon as it was caught by New Zealand fishermen in deep Antarctic waters.
But squid expert Steve O'Shea, of the Auckland University of Technology, has concerns that the outer flesh could rot during the long defrosting process.
Scientists are defrosting the giant so that they can embalm the unique specimen. But O'Shea said it would take days to defrost the squid at room temperature, meaning the outer layers would begin to decay before the insides have thawed.
Worry not though, for the clever bods have decided to thaw the colossal squid in a colossal microwave! O'Shea said "There are certain microwave equivalents that are used by industry, for treating timber and the like, that we could probably fit this thing into".
Scientists say this is by far the largest specimen of the colossal squid ever caught. But bad news for seafood fans - the squid's massive tentacles are in fact poisonous so no there is no chance for a colossal calamari feast!
The colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamilton), measuring a massive 10 metres (33ft) in length, was frozen as soon as it was caught by New Zealand fishermen in deep Antarctic waters.
But squid expert Steve O'Shea, of the Auckland University of Technology, has concerns that the outer flesh could rot during the long defrosting process.
Scientists are defrosting the giant so that they can embalm the unique specimen. But O'Shea said it would take days to defrost the squid at room temperature, meaning the outer layers would begin to decay before the insides have thawed.
Worry not though, for the clever bods have decided to thaw the colossal squid in a colossal microwave! O'Shea said "There are certain microwave equivalents that are used by industry, for treating timber and the like, that we could probably fit this thing into".
Scientists say this is by far the largest specimen of the colossal squid ever caught. But bad news for seafood fans - the squid's massive tentacles are in fact poisonous so no there is no chance for a colossal calamari feast!
Image taken from The Calamari Wrestler
© Klock Worx Company Ltd./Pathfinder Pictures.
It is a bizarre and wonderful film.
© Klock Worx Company Ltd./Pathfinder Pictures.
It is a bizarre and wonderful film.
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