Nature · Smithsonian female specimen · reconstructed original length
How long is a giant squid?
Smithsonian describes its female giant squid, caught off Spain in 2005, as originally about 36 feet long. That is approximately 10.97 meters including the extended feeding tentacles.
≈ 10.9728 m
Sourced measurement- Measurement
- Museum-described original total length · nominal 36 feet
- Subject or version
- Smithsonian female specimen · reconstructed original length
- Using this value
- A starting value for the illustration, not a universal or confirmed height.
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A little more perspective
The museum distinguishes the female specimen’s original 36-foot length from its shorter preserved display length after shrinkage. This record selects the former, converted to 10.9728 meters without implying extra measurement precision. It is not the current tank length or the length of the mantle alone.
Total length includes the pointed mantle, head, eight arms and the longest reach of the two feeding tentacles. The illustration reconstructs an extended living-form outline rather than the specimen’s present preserved posture. Tentacle extension and preservation can change visible length substantially, so keep the original-condition qualifier attached.
Quick facts
Smithsonian describes its female giant squid, caught off Spain in 2005, as originally about 36 feet long. That is approximately 10.97 meters including the extended feeding tentacles.
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Sources and measurement notes
The long feeding tentacles count in total length; preserved display length is different.
Source review recorded . Maintained by Ishan Karunaratne. Suggest a correction with a source and the exact measurement being compared.