Steve O'Shea

You can actually catch live squid online, http://www.squidcam.info, although they're not of the 'giant' variety yet (still working on that). Should also be some interesting Architeuthis news coming out in a couple of days (just a small news piece, but pretty darn interesting).

Darn, a lot of what I do entails both 9 & 13; fleeced another sperm whale today, and reek!

Quite a few, in fact, although not of Architeuthis. Check out the fossils forum at http://www.TONMO.com; should be something there to spark your interest. Cheers Steve

My word ... no offence taken; should have been more specific (he says, slapping his own wrist). Le pea-green-boaty be atop a galvanised trailer .... the trailer be attached to a big trucky .... Le trucky has a monster gearstick. By engaging said gearstick one can engage gearbox on Le Trucky; Le trucky, being attached to the aforementioned galvanised trailer, upon which Le pea-green boaty be afastened, begins to move. By coordinating arms, legs, eyes, wheels (attached to Le Trucky's steering bits and pieces), Maistro O'Shea can multi-task (quite a mean feat for a male, let me tell you), and pretty much head off in any direction he so choses (or the weather allows). Aint modern technology marvelous. Oh, oversight. As I wouldn't want to push said 5 ton rig anywhere, much planning goes into one of these expeditions, along with litres and litres and litres and endless litres of petrol that get poured into Le Trucky's tanks ... and at 3km/litre one needs those endless litres. I also stock up with enough cigarettes to satiate my chain-smoking habit. Off to attend to a few little crises here ..... O

Yup, but not the right one (as in no Architeuthis). We had to go ~ 1000km from where we'd wanted to go, given the most inclement weather conditions New Zealand has experienced for quite a few years, so it shouldn't come as any surprise. Tiz a very minor setback; the boat we have is mobile, and we can pretty much head off anywhere we want to, in between all of these other commitments (as in 'the day job'). In fact we're heading off again tomorrow night ..... but again not into Architeuthis country. It'll just make recatching the little guy that much more rewarding, when we finally do achieve it. Cheers O

.... just returned from expedition, hence the absence for an eternity. Nope, not been eaten by any sea monster, yet, though give me a little more time ......

.... otherwise known as teuthologists. Unfortunately the pill cam is a stills cam (I was pretty exhausted last eve when I got carried away with my response). Nevertheless, there's tremendous potential there, and I'm certainly looking into the matter.

I'm really impressed. At http://www.tonmo.com you'll find, in the research & discovery forum (somewhere; it's late and I've had a vino) a post about documentaries. I don't want to solicit members, but I must say this 'pill' idea is the best I've heard in years. You all (in my best 'Merican), following this thread, have something to offer on a documentary thread (I'm thrust in front of the camera in less than a week, talking about the colossal squid, that thing that's bigger than the so-called 'giant squid [Architeuthis], and you might have some suggestions as to what nonsense is said on film). Anything anyone has to contribute, no matter how wild, would be appreciated. ... just me posting again (I only visit 3 sites ... and this is one of them)

.... when I woke up this morning (as I am inclined to do) I never would have thought the day would end like this!! You have made my year!!! Humbly, and thank you indefinitely to the power of infinity, and beyond; a new door has been opened. Me

Are you pulling my chain, or does such a 'pill' really exist!?! IF something like this really did exist, and it was small, then the possibilities are endless. I could use that immediately on a squid - it would be the most sensational footage in the world as far as I was concerned. From the mouth to the anus - a through trip through a giant squid! Pretty pretty pretty please, please tell me that you are serious, and if you/anyone else knows anything about such a 'pill', a web link or any other information would be sensational. Ta Steve (..... ever so slightly off topic).

LOL; seen that toilet-flushing emoticon before ... from a fellow kiwi though. Not a bad idea, that camera trick, though it would be shredded to bits by the time it had passed through the squids oesophagus (that, incidentally, passes straight through the squids brain). They're not the brightest of animals. .... I'm still wondering what Paris got up to. Have I missed some scoop on E?

Am I being stalked??? Nope, haven't been eaten yet, but give me time. Have squid 'going live' at an aquarium in Auckland, New Zealand, today - ~ 400 juvenile Sepioteuthis on public display. No world first there (although you'll not find live squid at many aquariums - maybe one or two others, world wide [cuttlefish don't count]), but I'm almost certain we've cracked it .... today Sepioteuthis, tomorrow Colossal Squid. Speaking of which, will be battling a 30-foot colossal in a forthcoming Discovery doco 'Animal Face Off', Episode 12 (finale) - watch your screens for this next year (04); I might get eaten there

Not yet! Give me another 4 months (there are a few out there who wish I was eaten, and a couple of others who would like to see squid do 'other things' to me). Why is Steven Hawking full of crap??

... keep your eyes peeled; many interesting things happening right now. We're about to go out in our wee boat (that we pick up today, after 5 months negotiation) and go catch us some squid (of the non-giant variety). It's all leading up to next years expedition(s). Kindest Me

We're not sure whether the squid communicate/attract each other using pheromones, but it is certainly worth a try. We are currently 'playing' with other squid (not cuttlefish) to determine whether they are attracted by some pheromone, but we also have to isolate what part of the body is releasing it (we assume, for the time being, that it is reproductive tissue that is responsible for possible pheromone production/release). Pheromones are not our only secret weapon ... there's lots up our sleeves. Cheers Steve