Defrosting giant squid put back on ice

Technicians in New Zealand have halted the process of defrosting a giant squid caught in Antarctic waters last year.

The team realised the squid would defrost too early for a planned examination by scientists on Wednesday and put it back in the freezer.

The process was broadcast live on the internet.

The New Zealand specimen is 10 metres long and weighs in at half a tonne and provides the best opportunity scientists have ever had to study an intact specimen.

It is the biggest squid in the oceans and can grow much bigger.

The colossal squid hide themselves away from humanity very effectively.

Beyond the fact that giant squid like deep cold water, scientists know very little about them.

Giant squid are fearsome predators, with huge beaks and rotating hooks on the end of their tentacles.