When it comes to up-close encounters with sea creatures, many people first think of things easily within reach: beach or shoreline-dwelling crabs, starfish, mussels, perhaps. For those who venture out into local waters, of course, actually catching fish or pulling up crab pots also are common occurrences.
But within that same vast sea, it is not so easy to come in close contact with the creatures featured in the newest display at Seattle’s Burke Museum.
These beasts live at ocean depths between 650 and 2,600 feet. They have clear blue blood and eyes as large as human heads. They can measure as long as 60 feet and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. They are giant squid.
Giant squid live up to their name, and they are the focus of an exhibit called “In Search of Giant Squid,” opening this weekend for a run through Dec. 31.
Burke’s staff members say that, given Puget Sound’s seafaring history, a squid exhibit seemed an appropriate topic. This particular exhibit, they say, actually came from the Smithsonian Institute.
“The giant squid has inspired fantastic mythologies for as long as humans have been out to sea,” said Rebecca Durkin, a Burke spokeswoman. “Yet, to this day, the real giant squid has rarely been seen live, in its true environment.”
She said that although scientists do know several things about the species, some of the secrets, or lingering questions, involve the life expectancy of the species, whether or not they live in groups and how fast they swim.
Most recently, giant squid were in the news when one was caught off the coast of New Zealand this February.
On Saturday, guests can view a giant squid beak and sucker, can measure themselves against one of the enormous creatures and can participate in a dissection led by educators from the Seattle Aquarium. The full-day event also will feature singing with Capt. John Burke and Blue Peter from Vashon Island, poetry readings about squid with Cephalopod Appreciation Society members and more.
In addition, oceanography professor John Delaney will discuss real-time ocean observation technology that allows scientists to learn about sea creatures like the giant squid.
Burke Museum photo
A painting of a giant squid.
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