What if I told you, there's a creature in the ocean with eyes the size of a dinner plate, arms covered in suction cups with teeth, and a body longer than a school bus. And for a long time, people weren't even sure it was real. But it's not a story, it's real. The giant squid. I'm your host, Garrett Maroon, and I'm here today with my three favorite deep sea explorers. That's right, backed by popular demand, my son Dylan. Now, before they say hello, let me give a special shout out to Damon in South Georgia. He sent us an email and he said, I absolutely love this podcast and I'm fascinated by sea life. And I especially appreciate that it's faith-based as well. Damon asked to hear an episode about the giant squid. So, Damon, this one's for you. If you want to send a message to the Nature Loving Kids or request a future topic yourself, email us at Nature LovingKidsPodcast at gmail.com. Now, introducing my deep sea explorers.
SPEAKER_01Hi, I'm Hattie, and this already sounds a little scary, but cool. And I'm Dylan, and it's good to be back. Oh, and I'm Ivy, and I hope I can come to our beach.
SPEAKER_00Don't worry, Ivy. Giant squids live very, very deep in the ocean. The giant squid is one of the largest invertebrates in the world. That means it doesn't have bones, just a soft body.
SPEAKER_01So like a jellyfish?
SPEAKER_00A little, but much more complex. A giant squid can grow up to 40 feet long.
SPEAKER_01That's longer than a house.
SPEAKER_00Yes, and most of that length comes from its long arms and tentacles. Here's one of the most amazing facts. Giant squids have the largest eyes of any animal on Earth.
SPEAKER_01Their eyes can be about the size of a dinner plate. Why do they need eyes that big? Because they live deep in the ocean where it's very dark.
SPEAKER_00Big eyes help them detect even tiny amounts of light.
SPEAKER_01Like seeing shadows in the dark.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. Their eyes help them spot predators like whales. Giant squids have eight arms and two extra long tentacles.
SPEAKER_01Wait, what's the difference?
SPEAKER_00Great question, Hattie. The arms are shorter and help hold things. The tentacles are much longer and used to grab prey.
SPEAKER_01So the tentacles are like grabbing tools? Exactly. And here's the wild part. Their suction cups have tiny sharp edges, almost like teeth. That sound intense.
SPEAKER_00It helps them hold on to slippery prey like fish. Alright, it's time for a quick joke break.
SPEAKER_01What do you call two squids that look exactly the same? What? A tentacle. How do you make a squid laugh? How? With tentacles. Hey everyone, Hattie here. If you like this podcast and want bedtime stories for kids, check out my dad's podcast called Lantern Hollow.
SPEAKER_00Giant squids live in the deep ocean, far below where sunlight can reach. It's cold, dark, and very quiet.
SPEAKER_01So we can't just go see one?
SPEAKER_00Not easily. That's why for a long time people only found pieces of giant squid or saw them in stories. The first real photos of a live giant squid weren't taken until 2004.
SPEAKER_01That's not that long ago.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. There's still so much we don't know about them.
SPEAKER_01Giant squids have one main predator, the sperm whale.
SPEAKER_00Scientists have found scars on whales from squid suction cups. That means these two giants sometimes fight deep in the ocean.
SPEAKER_01That's like a real-life sea battle.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. Now time for a quick joke break.
SPEAKER_01What did the squid say when it got the car?
SPEAKER_00What?
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna get you big bop pan car.
SPEAKER_00I'm confused, very confused.
SPEAKER_01Um that doesn't make any sense, Ivy. What did the squid say when I asked to borrow his car? What? I'll ink about it.
SPEAKER_00Think about this. There are creatures this big, this powerful, living in parts of the ocean we can barely explore.
SPEAKER_01It's like a whole hidden world.
SPEAKER_00Yes. And it reminds us how much of nature is still full of mystery.
SPEAKER_01The giant squid isn't just a sea creature, it's one of the greatest mysteries in nature.
SPEAKER_00From its enormous eyes to its powerful tentacles, it shows us the incredible life God designed in the deep ocean. Thanks for joining us on the Nature Loving Kids Podcast.
SPEAKER_01If you like this episode, share it with a friend. And remember, click the follow button. New episode every Wednesday. And please leave a review. We read every one.
SPEAKER_00And maybe next time in the ocean, don't swim too deep. Until next time, stay curious, get outside, and remember, the world is full of wild wonders!