Habitat
Giant squids are found in all three
oceans, mainly in cooler temperate waters. Until recently their natural habitat
was unknown as they were found mainly from strandings and from the stomachs
of sperm whales. Giant squids are apparently not as rare as previously thought;
with improved fishing techniques and larger trawls, giant squids are now
being caught in trawls, presumably in their natural habitat. Off the West
Coast of southern Africa they have been caught along the continental slope
at depths of 360 m to 620 m and in a midwater trawl between 18 and 95 m over
4300 m total depth. Giant squid are thought to live 1000-2000
ft below the water's surface in most of the world's oceans. One of the known
homes of the giant squid is the Kaikoara Canyon of New Zealand, although
no live specimens have been captured there. Giant squid have been found stranded
all over the globe, with at least 25 found in Great Britain and 3 in America.
They seem to prefer cold water and will actually suffocate in warm water.
