- New research, based on the analysis of large fossilized jaws, has identified two new species of finned octopuses: *Nanaimoteuthis jeletzkyi* and *N. haggarti*.
- These ancient octopuses, described as "krakens," lived during the Cretaceous period, approximately 100-72 million years ago.
- These finned octopuses were of immense size, capable of reaching lengths between 7 and 19 meters.
- The wear patterns observed on their fossilized jaws indicate that they frequently crushed hard bones, suggesting they were powerful predators.
- This evidence implies that these octopuses possessed high intelligence and functioned as apex predators, challenging the traditional view that ancient marine food chains were dominated solely by vertebrates.
Cretaceous 'Krakens' Were Apex Predators
Summarized by Catamist’s AI from other outlets’ reporting and checked for neutrality. Original sources are linked below.
Scientists have identified two colossal new species of finned octopuses, dubbed "krakens," that roamed the oceans 100-72 million years ago, reaching an astonishing 7 to 19 meters in length. These ancient giants were powerful apex predators that crushed hard bones, challenging the long-held belief that vertebrates solely dominated prehistoric marine food chains.
How this was made: Catamist’s AI summarized this story from reporting by other outlets and checked it for neutral, plain-language framing. It is a news summary, not original reporting — the original sources are linked above.
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