
Colossal squid at Te Papa
We have one colossal squid on display, but did you know we have three colossal squid specimens in our collection?
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Our beloved colossal squid (the only one on display in the world) has been a whānau favourite since 2008 – but how did it get here? Tell us a ‘tall tale’ or a factual story about how it came to Te Papa. You could write, draw, or animate your story.
Whānau challenge
Read pages 8 and 9 of the colossal squid activity book to find out how the squid got to Te Papa, or make up your own story!
The colossal squid activity book (page 8 and 9 tells the real story of how the colossal squid came to Te Papa)
The arms and tentacles of the colossal squid
The beak of the colossal squid
The eyes of the colossal squid
How to colossal squid came to Te Papa, by Tilly age 10
Using Plasticine and Lego to create a stop motion animation video with a tablet device, by Lennox and Frankie age 7 and 4
Want to use stop motion? Watch a video to learn how to do it
We have one colossal squid on display, but did you know we have three colossal squid specimens in our collection?
Discover all about the anatomy this deep sea beast. Learn about it's massive eyes, sharp beak, and long hooked tentacles.
We know very little about the colossal squid’s life history, diet, or behaviour, because they live at extreme depths in freezing water, but here's what we do know...