The First Octopuses Were Kraken-Like Monsters In the Cretaceous Waters

For centuries, humans have told stories about the legendary Kraken, a huge octopus that coud sink ships whole. But roughly 100 million years ago, a sort of Kraken may have actually existed. Researchers found fossils suggesting that these early octopuses could have reached 19 meters in legnth.

Their fossil jaws show extensive chips, scratches and asymmetric wear, which are signs of crushing, powerful bites. It may also suggest lateralized behavior linked to advanced cognition. In other words: some of the earliest known octopuses were huge and intelligent, possibly dominating their ecosystem.

The Monsters Were Real

For the past 370 million years ago, vertebrates have dominated most ecosystems. The vertebrates (defined by having a backbone) include mammals, birds, amphibians, and various classes of fish and reptiles. They’re usually the predators. Meanwhile, the invertebrates are usually the prey or, at most, mid-level hunters.

But these octopuses disagreed.