When was the first vampire squid observed alive in the wild?

The vampire squid was first observed alive in the wild in 1898, adding a new member to the strange fauna of the deep ocean. It was later studied far more closely with modern submersibles and cameras in the 1990s. Despite its dramatic name, it is not a true squid and is more closely related to octopuses. It thrives in low-oxygen waters where few predators and competitors can survive. The species is a classic example of how the deep sea can produce highly specialized animals.