Could a squid hurt a human? | AUT Squid Matters

Welcome to Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT) Research Matters! 🚀 AUT’s Research Matters video series is where AUT academics answer everyday questions about their fields of expertise. Get the answer to those questions you’ve always had – or maybe never knew to ask. AUT’s Associate Professor Kat Bolstad breaks down what makes squid so fascinating - from deep‑sea giants to ocean ecosystems, how smart they really are, and why we’re still discovering new things about life below the surface. Plus, the science behind the myths, and what we still don’t know about the deep sea. 🌊 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 What is the AUT Squid Squad? 01:00 How and why did you become interested in being a squid researcher? 01:48 Why are squid so important to the ocean eco-system? 02:50 How smart are squid? 03:52 What’s the difference between a colossal squid and a giant squid? 05:27 You recently identified the first footage of a live colossal squid at home in the deep sea. Why is this discovery so exciting? 06:39 Could a squid the size of the mythical Kraken actually exists in the deep sea? 07:04 Why are people so obsessed with the Kraken in pop culture? 07:33 How much do we know about the deep sea? 08:10 What do you think ancient mariners actually saw when they talked about the Kraken? 08:55 Could a squid hurt a human? 10:03 How many types of squid are there? 10:37 Are any species unique to New Zealand or Antarctic waters? 10:52 What are your thoughts on octopus farming? 11:14 Would you ever eat squid or octopus? 11:32 What is your favourite cephalopod in pop culture?