Colossal ___, marine animal filmed in its natural habitat for the first time in 2025 NYT crossword clue

The answer to the clue “Colossal ___, marine animal filmed in its natural habitat for the first time in 2025” is **squid**. The colossal squid is a deep-sea cephalopod that has long fascinated scientists and the public alike due to its enormous size and elusive nature. Until recently, it had only been studied through dead specimens brought to the surface by fishing vessels. The 2025 footage marked a groundbreaking moment in marine biology, offering the first visual evidence of this creature in its natural environment.

The term “colossal” emphasizes the squid’s massive proportions—larger even than the more famous giant squid in terms of bulk. These creatures inhabit the deep, cold waters of the Southern Ocean, making encounters exceedingly rare. This clue not only references a significant scientific achievement but also uses a straightforward fill-in-the-blank format to point solvers toward a well-known animal often featured in deep-sea lore and legend.