The
colossal squid (
Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from
Greek mesos (middle),
onycho (claw, nail), and
teuthis (
squid)), sometimes called the
Antarctic or
giant cranch squid, is believed to be the
largest squid species in terms of mass. It is the only known member of the
genus Mesonychoteuthis. It is known from only a few specimens, and current estimates put its maximum size at long and weighing possibly up to 750 kg (1,650 lb), based on analysis of smaller and immature specimens, making it the largest known
invertebrate.