Not just folklore: A giant kraken-like octopus terrorized the seas in the age of dinosaurs
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- New research suggests that giant octopuses up to 62 feet long existed around 100 million years ago, potentially acting as formidable predators in ancient oceans.
- Fossilized beaks of two extinct species, Nanaimoteuthis jeletzkyi and Nanaimoteuthis haggarti, were studied to estimate their size and feeding habits, indicating they preyed on hard-shelled animals.
- The octopuses exhibited signs of advanced behavior and intelligence, with jaw wear patterns suggesting lateralized behavior similar to modern octopuses.
- Researchers propose that these giant octopuses may have rivaled or preyed upon apex marine predators of the Cretaceous period, challenging the notion that large vertebrates solely dominated marine ecosystems.
- Some experts caution that size estimates may be imprecise due to methodological limitations, and large size alone does not confirm apex predator status.
