Researchers at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota are examining the remains of a giant squid – the likes of which has never been found before in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

It’s called Architeuthis Acanthoderm. Its carcass was found floating in deep water south of Key West about a week ago. A 6-1/2 foot section was delivered to Senior Mote Biologist Debbie Ingrao.

“the exciting thing this has only been found in the pacific, so the question for us becomes has it been here all along and we haven’t seen it because it’s a very deep water specimen or have they just arrived – and its mostly likely they’ve been here all along.”

Ingrao says she will spend months studying the giant squid’s remains. After that it will be preserved at the Smithsonian Institution because of its status as the first of its species found in the Atlantic Ocean.