The much publicised giant 'colossal' squid has been thawed in New Zealand museum...

New Zealand marine scientists have completed the thawing process and have begun to analyse the colossal squid that was caught in the depths of the Ross Sea waters of Antarctica, and was donated to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. It has been kept deep frozen for a year.

The giant squid was caught in February 2007 by a deep sea fishing boat.

Marine scientists started thawing the the giant specimen earlier in the week and finished yesterday, Wednesday, NZ time. It was put in a large tank of saline solution where ice was added to prevent decay - they had up to eight hours to complete the process.

The squid weighs in at nearly a half a tonne, but is shorter than originally estimated, probably up to 4 metres rather than the earlier estimate of 6 to 8 metres. The colossal squid is generally shorter than its 'giant' counterpart.

The squid's eyes measure 27 cm, like large dinner plates - the biggest animal eyes in the world.

The squid has attracted worldwide interest and audience, visitors and online. If it proves to be male it could mean the existence of much large colossal squids in the wild.

A smaller squid captured at the same time has been dissected by scientists at the museum.

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