Head to head
Glass Squid vs Colossal Squid
Glass Squid
VS Colossal Squid
The colossal squid is itself a glass squid by family, making this a comparison between the group as a whole and its single most extreme member.
| Glass Squid | Colossal Squid | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cranchiidae | Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni |
| Classification level | A family of many species | A single specific species within that family |
| Size | Ranges from a few centimetres to enormous | The heaviest invertebrate known, up to 500 kg |
| Transparency | Nearly transparent, gelatinous body | Not transparent, a bulky opaque body |
| Range | Tropical and temperate waters worldwide | The deep Southern Ocean around Antarctica |
| Notable feature | Ammonium-filled buoyancy chamber | Largest eyes of any animal, swivelling hooks |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean, polar |
Glass Squid vs Colossal Squid: common questions
Is the colossal squid part of the glass squid family?
Yes, the colossal squid belongs to the glass squid family, even though its enormous size and opaque body make it a dramatic exception to the typically small, transparent members that make up most of the family.
Which one is transparent and which is opaque?
Glass squids as a family are typically nearly transparent, but the colossal squid specifically has an opaque, bulky body, standing out from the transparent norm found across most of its own family.
Which one lives specifically around Antarctica?
The colossal squid is confined to the deep Southern Ocean around Antarctica, while glass squids as a broader family are found across tropical and temperate waters worldwide.