Monster From The Deep Washes Up

[zrealist]

Monster from the deep washes up

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/monste...3833567895.html

A giant squid washed up on the shores of Tasmania has scientists in a frenzy.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery senior curator of invertebrate zoology, Genefor Walker-Smith, is currently heading to Ocean Beach, near Strahan, with a team of scientific experts.

They will take samples from the massive creature, which has been identified by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife as giant squid Architeuthis.

The officers have moved the remains above the high water mark to preserve it before being analysed.

The hood of the squid is about two metres long and the body a couple of metres long.

A TPWS spokesman said the tentacles have been badly mangled so their length could not be measured.

Strahan senior ranger Chris Arthur said it is the first time that a giant squid has washed up on the beaches of the west coast, although the giant squid is known to be a food source for sperm whales, which have frequently stranded on the coast.

A member of the public made the discovery last night.