MELBOURNE,
Australia (AP)--An Australian museum got its tentacles on one
of the most elusive creatures known to man.
Melbourne
Museum took possession Wednesday of a rare 550 pound giant squid
dredged up by fishermen from deep waters off the southern coast
of Australia.
A live giant
squid has never been seen--and scientists flock to the rare examples
snared by fishermen in the hope of finding out more about their
life cycles.
Melbourne
Museum visiting scientist Mark Norman described the giant squid
as one of the ``last true monsters of the deep.''
The specimen
caught last week will be preserved and likely go on display, museum
spokesman Kate Milkins said.
Milkins said
the squid was 12 feet long, but including its two long feeding
tentacles, which did not make it to the museum, it would likely
measure 36 feet.
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