The ‘Colossal Squid: Freaky Features! Te Ngū Tipua: Ngā Wāhanga Weriweri!’ exhibition is open to the public until Thursday, June 27 at Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library.

"Patrons of our city library this week may have observed the installation of an eye-catching new exhibition, thanks to a first-time collaboration between Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Tauranga Museum and Te Papa," says Tauranaga City Libraries creative and marketing coordinator, Daniel Petersen.

"Visitors to the Colossal Squid: Freaky Features! exhibition are invited to explore an interactive table displaying the lens from an eye of a colossal squid, part of a tentacle, and a complete tiny squid—the miniature of its colossal relative!

"You can even play with rotating models of a colossal squid’s tentacle hook and beak, plus see how you compare in size to these colossal creatures!

"Because they live at extreme depths and in freezing water, humans know very little about the colossal squid’s life and they are very rarely captured or seen.

"The first scientific report of a colossal squid only came in 1925, when parts were discovered in the stomach of a sperm whale.

"Since then, only a few adult colossal squid have been recorded, and only four have been recovered complete."

Daniel says that the vast majority of specimens collected are only smaller parts recovered from the stomachs of whales, sharks, and scavenging birds like the albatross.

"Their colossal size and freaky features are stunning to behold, but it’s the lack of information about these curious creatures that makes them especially fascinating and why the colossal squid has captured the imagination of generations the world over.

"You won’t want to miss this rare opportunity to see bits of the colossal squid up close thanks to the remarkable specimens on loan from Te Papa," says Daniel.