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Giant squid washes up on Australian beach

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 | 8:06 AM ET

CBC News
Scientists say they may have found a new species after a giant squid washed up on an Australian beach.

The mysterious creature is similar to one in Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The squid's tentacles measure at least 15 metres and it weighs about 250 kilograms. It was found dead Saturday on the southern island state of Tasmania.

The giant squid was transported to the Tasmanian Museum, where experts were studying its unusual traits. Zoologist David Pemberton said each of the squid's eight arms have unusual long, thin flaps of muscle attached to them.

The squid had lost two of its tentacles, which Pemberton said could be between 15 metres and 18 metres long. Giant squid also have two smaller feeding tentacles.

Pemberton said the discovery could cause scientists to rewrite the taxonomy of giant squids, which usually live on the edge of continental shelves at depths of at least 500 metres.

He added no one would want to feast on the creature – its high ammonia content would make it inedible.

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