Maximum size including tentacles is around 16m. A long slender squid. Most of the length is in the tentacles. The suckers have rings with teeth that are rather like velcro. And the musculature is not developed enough to make this animal a major predator. .

Deepwater > 500m

Mainly a predator on other squid.

Unlikely to live more than 4-5 years. The so called Giant Squid of legend. But in truth probably a placid animal living at depth (~ 500m) and waiting for small animals to brush against it's feeding tentacles
Occasionally washed ashore or trawled up by fishermen off the East Coast of the South Island.

Cephalopods a world guide: Norman Photos Dr Kat Bolstad