This fascinating footage shows the shimmering beauty of one of the ocean’s transparent squid species, reports the Daily Mail.

The cockatoo squid - also known as the glass squid (Taonius borealis) - can be seen making its way through the darkened waters, its inner organs showing while its body glistens.

As well as having a clearly visible digestive gland, the balloon-like squid retains ammonia solutions inside its body, helping it to float.

Found in the dark depths, the glass squid also has colour-changing chromatophores, which flash reddish hues to help it blend in.

The footage was taken by staff on the Exploration Vessel Nautilus in the waters of the Quinalt Canyon near Washington, USA.

This strange-looking creature gets its name from its bird-like appearance and can grow up to 50cm (20 inches) long.

Young live in surface waters and then go deeper as they get older and are commonly found in the North Pacific Ocean. 

They live in depths where their transparency makes them hard to spot. 

Some species even live two kilometres below sea level and there are at least 60 in total.