{{Other uses|Giant squid (disambiguation)}}

{{Distinguish|Colossal squid}}

{{pp-pc1}}

{{Short description|Deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Giant squid

| image = Architeuthis princeps image modified.PNG

| image_caption = Giant squid, ''Architeuthis'' sp., modified from an illustration by [[Addison Emery Verrill|A. E. Verrill]], 1880

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Allcock, L. |author2=Barratt, I. |date=2014 |title=''Architeuthis dux'' |volume=2014 |page=e.T163265A991505 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T163265A991505.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>

| grandparent_authority = [[Georg Johann Pfeffer|Pfeffer]], 1900

| genus = Architeuthis

| parent_authority = [[Japetus Steenstrup|Steenstrup]] ''in'' Harting, 1860

| species = dux

| authority = [[Japetus Steenstrup|Steenstrup]], 1857

| synonyms =

* ''Architeuthus'' <small>Steenstrup, 1857</small>

* ''Dinoteuthis'' <small>More, 1875</small>

* ''Dubioteuthis'' <small>Joubin, 1900</small>

* ''Megaloteuthis'' <small>Kent, 1874</small>

* ''Megateuthis'' <small>Hilgendorf ''in'' Carus, 1880</small>

* ''Megateuthus'' <small>Hilgendorf, 1880</small>

* ''Mouchezis'' <small>Vélain, 1877</small>

* ''Plectoteuthis'' <small>Owen, 1881</small>

* ''Steenstrupia'' <small>Kirk, 1882</small>

|range_map = Architeuthis distribution.png

|range_map_caption = Worldwide giant squid distribution based on recovered specimens

}}

The '''giant squid''' (''Architeuthis dux'') is a species of deep-ocean dwelling [[squid]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] '''Architeuthidae'''. It can grow to a tremendous size, offering an example of [[deep-sea gigantism]]: recent estimates put the maximum size at around {{convert|12|–|13|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=McClain_etal_2015 /><ref name=OShea /><ref name="guide">[[Dianne Tracey|Tracey, D.M.]], O.F. Anderson & J.R. Naylor (2011). [https://fs.fish.govt.nz/Doc/23020/AEBR_86.pdf.ashx ''A guide to common deepsea invertebrates in New Zealand waters. Third edition.''] [[National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research]], Wellington. 317&nbsp;pp.</ref><ref name=Yukhov2014>Yukhov, V.L. (2014). [http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/bitstream/handle/123456789/129663/24-Yukhov.pdf Гигантские кальмары рода ''Architeuthis'' в Южном океане / Giant calmaries<!--sic--> ''Аrchiteuthis'' in the Southern ocean]. [Gigantskiye kalmary roda ''Architeuthis'' v Yuzhnom okeane.] ''Ukrainian Antarctic Journal'' no. 13: 242–253. {{in lang|ru}}</ref> for females and {{convert|10|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=OShea /> for males, from the [[cephalopod fin|posterior fins]] to the tip of the two long [[cephalopod limb|tentacles]] (longer than the [[colossal squid]] at an estimated {{convert|9|-|10|m|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite book |author1=Roper, C.F.E. |author2=Jereb, P. |year=2010 <!--|article=Family Cranchiidae--> |editor1=Jereb, P. |editor2=Roper, C.F.E. |url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/i1920e/i1920e00.htm |title=Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species known to date |volume=2 |article=Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids |series=FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes |id=No.&nbsp;4, Vol.&nbsp;2 |publisher=FAO |place=Rome |pages=148–178}}</ref> but substantially lighter, due to the tentacles making up most of the length<ref name=size>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=82&objectid=10507295 |title=Size matters on 'squid row' (+photos, video) |author=Atkinson, Kent |date=May 1, 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=September 25, 2011}}</ref>). The [[Mantle (mollusc)|mantle]] of the giant squid is about {{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} long (more for females, less for males), and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles (but including head and arms) rarely exceeds {{convert|5|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name=OShea /> Claims of specimens measuring {{convert|20|m|abbr=on}} or more have not been scientifically documented.<ref name=OShea />

The number of different giant squid species has been debated, but recent genetic research suggests that only one species exists.<ref name=genetics/>

The first images of the animal in its natural habitat were taken in 2004 by a Japanese team.<ref name=first>{{cite journal|author1=Kubodera, T. |author2=Mori, K. |year=2005 |title=First-ever observations of a live giant squid in the wild |doi=10.1098/rspb.2005.3158 |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=272 |issue=1581 |pages=2583–2586 |pmid=16321779 |pmc=1559985}}</ref> The giant squid has a giant red beak for matting