New Fossil Discoveries Confirm Giant Kraken-Like Octopuses Ruled Prehistoric Seas

Recent fossil discoveries, including new evidence from the late Cretaceous period, indicate that enormous, kraken-like octopuses, potentially as large as lorries, existed 100 million years ago and were among the largest apex predators in prehistoric oceans.

24 Apr, 09:21 — 24 Apr, 20:03

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Why this matters

The discovery of these colossal cephalopods challenges previous understandings of prehistoric marine ecosystems and the scale of life during the Cretaceous period. It highlights the diversity of ancient marine life and the existence of formidable predators that rivaled or surpassed other known apex predators of the era.

Key entitiesLate Cretaceous Period

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The Independent

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NPRder-standardnewsbeast

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Showing 2 of 4 sources

NPRHigh49m ago

A real-life Kraken stalked the seas of the late Cretaceous

Researchers discovered evidence of enormous Kraken-like creatures who hunted in the seas some 100 million years ago, competing with large apex predators.

By Ari Daniel

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The IndependentMostly Factual11h ago

New fossil discoveries suggest existence of giant ‘kraken’ octopuses as large as lorries

Paleontologists believe these early cephalopods were ‘huge, intelligent’ creatures that crushed prey with their powerful beaks

By Bryony Gooch

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: The Independent · 24 Apr, 09:21|Full coverage: 4 · 11h|Window: 11h

The Independent24 Apr, 09:21First to report

New fossil discoveries suggest existence of giant ‘kraken’ octopuses as large as lorries

newsbeast24 Apr, 09:58

Το γιγάντιo χταπόδι «Κράκεν» ζούσε πριν από 100 εκατομμύρια χρόνια και κυριαρχούσε στους ωκεανούς

9h later

der-standard24 Apr, 19:00

Gigantische Kraken zählten vor 100 Millionen Jahren zu den größten Räubern der Meere

1h later

NPR24 Apr, 20:03Latest update

PERSPECTA

PERSPECTA

New Fossil Discoveries Confirm Giant Kraken-Like Octopuses Ruled Prehistoric Seas

Why this matters

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Sources

A real-life Kraken stalked the seas of the late Cretaceous

New fossil discoveries suggest existence of giant ‘kraken’ octopuses as large as lorries

Coverage Timeline

New fossil discoveries suggest existence of giant ‘kraken’ octopuses as large as lorries

Το γιγάντιo χταπόδι «Κράκεν» ζούσε πριν από 100 εκατομμύρια χρόνια και κυριαρχούσε στους ωκεανούς

Gigantische Kraken zählten vor 100 Millionen Jahren zu den größten Räubern der Meere

A real-life Kraken stalked the seas of the late Cretaceous

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