New research suggests that a massive, kraken-like octopus may have been the top predator in the seas during the age of dinosaurs, around 100 million years ago. Scientists analyzing fossilized jaws have uncovered evidence of enormous octopuses boasting eight arms and bodies extending more than 60 feet (18 meters), putting them on par with other fearsome marine reptiles of the time.
Discovery of Giant Octopus Jaws
In a study published Thursday in the journal Science, researchers examined the jaws of 15 ancient octopus fossils previously discovered in Japan and Canada's Vancouver Island. They also identified 12 additional jaws from Japan using a novel technique called digital fossil mining, which involves scanning rocks in cross-sections to reveal hidden fossils. By comparing these ancient jaws to those of modern octopuses, the team estimated the creatures' lengths ranged from 23 to 62 feet (7 to 19 meters). The largest jaw was substantially bigger than that of any living octopus, according to co-author Yasuhiro Iba, a paleontologist at Hokkaido University.
Evidence of Powerful Predation
The largest jaws showed significant wear and tear, including scratches, chips, and rounded edges. This suggests that the animals repeatedly crushed hard prey such as shells and bones, indicating a formidable predatory lifestyle. "These krakens must have been a fearsome sight to behold," said Adiel Klompmaker, a paleontologist at the University of Alabama who was not involved in the research.
While late Cretaceous waters are traditionally thought to have been ruled by sharp-toothed sharks and marine reptiles like mosasaurs and plesiosaurs, octopuses have often been overlooked due to their soft bodies that do not preserve well. However, their beaks, made of stiffened chitin, are durable enough to crush shelled and bony prey, challenging the perception that squishy invertebrates were not formidable top predators.
Implications for Ancient Food Webs
Without access to stomach contents, it remains uncertain what exactly these giant octopuses ate or if they directly competed with other top predators. They may have snacked on fish or snails, using their flexible arms to snatch prey and their beaks to break it apart. Paleontologist Neil Landman of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, who was not part of the study, noted that searching for octopus fossils in other locations could help clarify their role in ancient ecosystems. "It's a big old planet," he said, "so we have lots to look at to piece together the marine ecosystem through time."
