[citation needed] The species occurs in coastal waters near Antarctica and South America.

It grows to a mantle length of 44 cm (1.44 ft).

[3] P. glacialis is known to feed on many crustaceans, fish, lanternfish, Antarctic krill, and Antarctic silverfish, and has been known to practice cannibalism.

[4] Animals known to routinely feed on glacial squid include the Antarctic petrel, light-mantled albatross, Ross seal, southern elephant seal, Weddell seal, Patagonian toothfish, wandering albatross, grey-headed albatross, the Adélie penguin, and the emperor penguin.

[5] The squid inhabits the pelagic zone of the southern Ocean.