The Kraken was real: Researchers uncover how giant octopuses ruled the seas 100 million years ago

New research shows that giant octopuses may have ruled the seas 100 million years ago

Researchers have unearthed a surprising discovery: a giant octopus from the age of the dinosaurs that has been linked to the legendary Kraken, a creature capable of dragging ships to their doom. Based on fossilized jaw structures, scientists estimate the creature reached between 7 and 19 meters in length.

Due to its immense size, the species-Nanaimoteuthis haggarti-has been likened to the mythical monster of Scandinavian folklore. As one of the largest invertebrates ever recorded, it functioned as an apex predator in the ancient seas.

While modern giant squids can reach 12 meters, Nanaimoteuthis haggarti was significantly larger and more formidable. In this regard, Mr. Iba stated that his work proves giant octopuses functioned as top-tier predators in the Cretaceous Sea.

"These giant octopuses likely occupied the same ecological tier and may have competed with marine reptiles and sharks within the same ecosystem," he added.

The study of fossils comes from Japan and Vancouver Island exhibits intense wear on the creature's beak-the only rigid part of an octopus's body.

This new study showcases remarkably well-preserved jaws from a species that reached up to 19 metres in length, it one of the largest invertebrates known to science as reported by the BBC.

Modern octopuses are known for their intelligence and their ability to develop complex hunting strategies.

For example, the Giant Pacific Octopus can have an arm span of more than 5.5 metres. "With their tentacles and their suckers, they could perfectly hold on to such an animal and there is no escape," said Christian Klug, a paleontologist at the University of Zurich, who reviewed the research.

Several questions remain unanswered; at this point scientists cannot yet identify the exact shape of the animals, their full size, or how quickly they could swim.

Nonetheless, the fossils offer a captivating insight into the creatures that once roamed ancient seas, and the intelligence that likely helped them compete with other top predators.