Giant Squid
IN PHOTO: Spanish fishermen show off a 'Taningia Danae', or giant squid in Gijon, northern Spain on August 29, 2002 which was caught by two fishing boats off Spain's northern coast. The deep sea creature is reportedly the second largest example of its type ever found, weighing 81 kg (178 lbs). The Taningia Danae has two large photophores, the largest light-producing organs in any known animal, on the ends of two of its arms. Reuters/Alonso Gonzalez

A monstrous squid was found washed up on a beach in New Zealand. A marine aquarium now keeps the giant squid in a glass display for visitors.

The giant marine animal was found washed up on the shores of Kaikoura beach, located on the South Island of New Zealand on Tuesday, reports Time. Residents nearby were walking along the shores when they were surprised to find the huge squid.

The squid had a mantle that stretches to 6.5 feet long, with the longest tentacle measured at around 16 feet long. It was also identified to be an adult female, according to Megan Lewis, a marine biologist and owner of the aquarium told Marlborough Express. She said that these animals have a rapid growth rate and they don’t really have a long lifespan. Lewis also noted that the squid’s head was still intact and in a “pristine condition”.

“Before the birds got to it, we got help to move it to the aquarium where it is safe inside a freezer with glass windows so you can see it -- on display until we can do more with it,” said Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium, in a report by ABC News.

Giant squid being washed up on beach shores is nothing new in Kaikoura. In 2013, a Christchurch couple discovered a similar large squid floating near Shark Tooth’s point in South Bay. The massive squid measured around eight metres in length. Reports said that the squid died from an attack by another larger squid, and this was determined by the bite marks found on its body.

ABC News reports that parts of the squid will go to universities in Auckland and Otago to be used for research purposes. Several photos of the marine animal were posted on the aquarium’s Facebook page.

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