It is not the monster of legend. But it is close enough to keep the stories alive. Architeuthis dux is the giant squid, a creature that has haunted maritime folklore for centuries. It lives in the deep ocean, far from the reach of sunlight. In New Zealand waters, it is a frequent visitor, though few ever see it alive. Most encounters occur when a dead specimen washes ashore or is caught in fishing nets. The giant squid is long and slender, with two enormous feeding tentacles that shoot out to capture prey. Its eyes are huge, among the largest in the animal kingdom, allowing it to see in the dim light of the deep. It feeds on fish and other squid, using its sharp beak to tear apart its meals. Sperm whales hunt it relentlessly, diving thousands of metres to catch a meal. The scars on a whale's skin tell the story of these underwater battles. For humans, the giant squid remains a symbol of the unknown. It is a reminder that the ocean is vast and largely unexplored. We know more about the surface of Mars than we do about the habitats of these deep-sea giants. It drifts in the dark, waiting for prey, unaware of the myths it inspires. The numbers are not encouraging for those seeking live specimens. And that seems to be enough.