60-foot octopus ruled the seas during age of dinosaurs, fossils show
Summary
Scientists have discovered that giant octopuses, growing up to 60 feet long, lived in the seas during the time of the dinosaurs 100 million years ago. These giant octopuses were likely top predators, using strong jaws to crush hard prey like shells and bones.Key Facts
- Researchers studied fossilized octopus jaws from Japan and Canada.
- They used a new method called digital fossil mining to find more fossils hidden inside rocks.
- The ancient octopuses ranged from 23 to 62 feet long, much larger than modern octopuses.
- These giants were possibly the largest invertebrate predators known, bigger than giant squids.
- The fossils show wear on jaws, indicating they regularly crushed hard prey.
- Octopus beaks are made of chitin, a tough material that can break shells and bones.
- Soft bodies of octopuses usually do not fossilize well, so evidence has been limited until now.
- Understanding these octopuses helps scientists learn more about ancient ocean food chains.
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