SANTA CRUZ, Calif. " A rare 25-foot-long giant squid has been coughed up in Monterey Bay.
Biologists gathered at Santa Cruz harbor Wednesday to examine the remains of the behemoth, which had tentacles as thick as a human leg.
Researcher Sean Van Sommeran and his Pelagic Shark Research Foundation crew found the squid about 20 miles out. Seagulls were feeding on the carcass.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fishery biologist John Field says only a handful have ever been found in California waters.
The squid was taken to Long Marine Lab for a necropsy.
Researchers say giant squid can grow upward of 50 and 60 feet and weigh up to a ton.