It is mostly found in the northern hemisphere but also occurs off the coast of Namibia and South Africa.

The northern limit of its range is the Newfoundland and the seas south of Iceland at 52° North.

It is found in the upper waters of the open sea,[5] often at depths of between 600 and 800 m (1,969 and 2,625 ft),[6] and frequently in the vicinity of seamounts and other undersea features, perhaps because primary production is greater in these areas.

[3][4] Little is known of the behaviour and ecology of this squid but it seems to breed over the continental slope as juveniles in the size range 2 to 4 cm (0.8 to 1.6 in) have been found there.

Adults are eaten by various cetaceans including sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps)[5] and Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), a fact confirmed by examining the stomach contents of stranded animals among which the indigestible beaks of the squids are found.