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    Discovery of giant octopuses as apex predators in Cretaceous seas

    High4 articles covering this·5 news sources·Updated 3 hours ago·World
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    Here's what it means for you.

    This discovery may redefine our understanding of marine ecosystems and predator-prey dynamics in prehistoric times.

    What happened

    Fossil analysis indicates that colossal octopuses were top predators in the Cretaceous period.

    The Context

    • New fossils suggest these octopuses were formidable hunters.
    • Their size and intelligence positioned them at the top of the prehistoric marine food chain.
    • The findings contribute to our understanding of marine ecosystems during the age of dinosaurs.

    Takeaway

    The discovery of these giant octopuses opens new avenues for understanding marine life and predator-prey dynamics in prehistoric ecosystems.

    Insights by A47 Intelligence

    4 Articles
    Fox News

    'Gigantic' ancient octopus used jaws to crush prey and hunted alongside the dinosaurs 100M years ago: study

    New research from Hokkaido University suggests that ancient octopuses, potentially reaching gigantic sizes, were apex predators that hunted alongside dinosaurs approximately 100 million years ago. These creatures utilized their powerful jaws to crush...

    New Scientist

    Largest-ever octopus was great white shark of invertebrate predators

    During the Cretaceous period, colossal octopuses, reaching lengths of up to 19 meters, roamed the oceans, showcasing characteristics of highly intelligent hunters, as evidenced by fossilized remains. This discovery positions these octopuses as formid...

    The Guardian – Science

    ‘Kraken-like’ giant octopuses 100m years ago crunched bones of prey

    Recent research has revealed that giant octopuses, referred to as 'Kraken', were among the top predators of the Cretaceous oceans, with some species reaching lengths of up to 19 meters. Analysis of fossilized beaks indicates these ancient creatures h...

    The Guardian

    ‘Kraken-like’ giant octopuses 100m years ago crunched bones of prey

    Research indicates that giant octopuses, reminiscent of mythical kraken, thrived in the Cretaceous period, with some species growing up to 19 meters long and using their powerful beaks to crush the bones of their prey. This study, based on fossilized...

    Scientific American — Global

    ‘Kraken’ fossils show enormous, intelligent octopuses were top predators in Cretaceous seas

    Fossilized jaws from colossal octopuses, referred to as 'Kraken', have been discovered, indicating that these intelligent creatures were the top predators in the Cretaceous seas. This finding sheds light on the marine food chain during this prehistor...

    Scientific American

    ‘Kraken’ fossils show enormous, intelligent octopuses were top predators in Cretaceous seas

    Fossilized jaws from colossal octopuses, referred to as 'Kraken', have been discovered, indicating that these intelligent creatures were the top predators in the Cretaceous seas. This finding sheds light on the marine food chain during this prehistor...