60-Foot ‘Kraken’ Octopus Rivaled Top Ocean Predators

Giant Pacific octopus. Credit: Azchael / Flickr / CC BY-NC 2.0

Ancient oceans were dominated by almighty predators, but caller grounds suggests a elephantine octopus whitethorn person rivaled them astatine the apical of the nutrient chain. Marine reptiles similar mosasaurs erstwhile ruled these waters, yet researchers present constituent to different formidable huntsman lurking successful the deep.

Scientists person identified a taxon called Nanaimoteuthis haggarti, described arsenic a 60-foot “kraken” of the Cretaceous seas. The study, published successful Science, suggests this animal could scope astir 60 feet (18 meters) successful length, making it 1 of the largest invertebrates ever known.

Beaks uncover the standard of past octopuses

The findings trust connected fossilized beaks, 1 of the fewer parts of octopuses that tin past for millions of years. Unlike brushed tissues, these hard structures sphere good and connection clues astir the animal’s size.

Researchers utilized the narration betwixt beak size and assemblage size successful modern taxon to estimation the standard of N. haggarti. The results suggest it was importantly larger than today’s elephantine squids.

“It challenges the communal presumption of an ‘age of vertebrates’ successful marine ecosystems,” said Yasuhiro Iba of Hokkaido University, a co-author of the study.

Artificial quality uncovers hidden fossils

To enactment their findings, Iba and his squad analyzed 15 well-preserved beak fossils from Late Cretaceous deposits successful Japan and connected Vancouver Island. They besides utilized artificial quality to scan sediment samples and observe hidden fossils wrong rocks.

The method, called integer fossil mining, allowed researchers to place 12 further beaks. Several belonged to precise ample individuals, strengthening grounds for elephantine cephalopods.

“Using this approach, we were capable to observe fossil jaws that would person been astir intolerable to find utilizing accepted techniques,” Iba said.

Finned octopus relatives reached utmost sizes

Further investigation linked the fossils to taxon wrong the genus Nanaimoteuthis. Scientists present spot these animals wrong Cirrata, a radical of deep-sea octopuses with tiny fins and webbed arms.

The fossilized little jaw of an big Nanaimoteuthis haggarti. The largest beak recovered by the researchers was 1.5 times arsenic ample arsenic those of today's elephantine squids. pic.twitter.com/YP7fvGNbtt

— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) April 28, 2026

The find suggests that these finned octopuses erstwhile reached acold larger sizes than their modern relatives. A related species, Nanaimoteuthis jeletzkyi, apt grew to astir 26 feet (8 meters) successful length. Its fossils widen the known past of octopuses by millions of years.

Evidence points to almighty feeding behavior

The fossilized beaks amusement wide signs of wear. Researchers observed chipping, scratching, and rounded edges, indicating repeated crushing bites. Some beaks had mislaid up to 10% of their length.

Scientists construe this harm arsenic grounds that these animals fed connected hard oregon resistant prey. Their beardown beaks apt allowed them to interruption isolated pugnacious shells and perchance adjacent bone.

Scientists impulse caution connected size estimates

Some experts stay cautious astir the largest size estimates. Christian Klug of the Natural History Museum astatine the University of Zürich said the projected magnitude of 60 feet is “quite extreme.”

He noted that conclusions trust connected constricted fossil evidence. “Of course, we person lone the jaws, truthful determination is immoderate uncertainty,” helium said.

Adiel Klompmaker of the University of Alabama Museums said much information is needed to corroborate what these animals ate and however they lived.

Deep oceans whitethorn clasp much secrets

Most of the fossils were recovered successful shallow marine deposits. Scientists accidental this raises questions astir what whitethorn person lived successful deeper parts of the ocean during the Cretaceous.

Researchers judge further discoveries could reshape the knowing of past marine ecosystems. The study highlights however overmuch remains chartless astir beingness successful Earth’s prehistoric seas.