FOR those of you who have trouble defrosting a steak in the microwave, spare a thought for New Zealand scientists tasked with unthawing a 500kg squid.
The massive colossal squid - the largest ever found - has been creating a headache for researchers trying to extract it from a giant block of ice.
The creature was frozen by fishermen who hauled it from Antarctica`s icy waters in February last year.
Since then, the squid has defied attempts to defrost it intact, so scientists can properly examine and preserve it.
"We have never had a squid frozen in a block (of ice) before. Usually the squid we get come in bags and are frozen lengthwise,`` said a spokeswoman for Wellington`s Te Papa Tongarewa Museum.
"They are very easy to defrost. You just put them onto an autopsy table and bang, there you go,`` she said.
"We are learning as we go with this one.``
Scientists realised early on that just leaving the specimen in a room and allowing it to thaw would fail.
The squid`s huge bulk would take days to defrost, leaving the outside to rot while the inside remained frozen.
An offer from an Australian academic to use a giant microwave to thaw it out was considered, but ultimately rejected, for fear of damaging the creature.
Scientists are confident a new thawing method, commenced today, will be successful, and that they can start examining the creature on Wednesday.
The squid has been placed in a tank filled with salty water.
Because salt water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water, it will allow the freshwater ice around the creature to melt, while the surrounding liquid is kept at or below 0 degrees Celsius.
Scientists hope Wednesday`s planned examination will unlock many secrets, including the squid`s gender.
Female squid are usually larger than males, so if the specimen turns out to be a male it could mean much larger colossal squid are yet to be found.
Little is known about the life cycle of the colossal squid, but they are known to have huge beaks and unique swivelling hooks, which can tear prey apart.
Colossal squid are shorter but can grow to a far greater mass than the better known giant squid, and are thought to be more ferocious.
People interested in watching the squid thawing out and being examined can view a live webcam
broadcast at www.tepapa.govt.nz.
Share this article
