The giant squid has been featured in ancient mythologies and even in popular culture often as a formidable foe that poses threat to the lives and safety of humans at sea.

Because of its mythical status, some people may think that the creature is a mere product of imagination but the animal is real and exists in the depths of the oceans.

With a new video of this giant animal emerging, humans can be reminded that the creature does not only dwell in works of fiction.

Russian sailors have captured a video of an impressive giant squid, which has now emerged online. The animal was trying to steal the fishermen's catch with the film showing the creature attempting to eat a large fish while the fishermen were attempting to drive it off with a pole.

The squid is estimated to be about five times bigger than the huge fish it attempted to snatch. Despite its size and valiant attempt trying to get the fish several times though, it was eventually pushed away by the frantic sailors. The sailors can then be heard cheering after the squid retreats.

It is not yet clear what particular species of squid the marine animal belongs to as there are actually two: the giant squid and the colossal squid. Both measures about 12 meters long with the vast majority of the length attributed to the tentacles.

Although both species have similar lengths, the colossal squid has far broader body compared with its cousin. The biggest colossal squid ever seen was hauled in 2007 by fishermen off the waters of New Zealand. The creature was about 453 kilograms.

Much about the species remains unknown because there were only a few specimens that have been captured or caught on film.

Leslie Schwerin, producer of a documentary about the giant cephalopod, said that the eyes of the animal is supposed to be the largest among animals and this is so in order for them to see in the dark. Schwerin said that despite their large size, it is very hard to find a giant squid in their natural habitat.

 "They're really deep. 2,000 to 3,000 feet down. That's not a hospitable environment for us, so we have to go down in submersibles, which are loud and have lights and scare them away," Schwerin said. "I imagine that it's probably really hard to find a giant squid because we don't know how to behave or survive in their environment, so we need all this equipment that's loud, bright and it all scares them away."

Photo: Mike Goren | Flickr