Scientists have unearthed fossils of a giant octopus-like creature that lived during the Cretaceous period, with an estimated length of up to 19 metres—comparable to a large lorry. The discovery, reported in a study published in 2025, suggests that early octopuses were far larger than previously thought, challenging the long-held belief that sharks and marine reptiles like mosasaurs and plesiosaurs were the dominant predators of the era.
The fossils, found in rock formations dating to around 100 million years ago, include impressions of soft tissue and beak-like structures. Researchers from the University of Bonn and other institutions identified the creature as a relative of modern octopuses, but with a more robust body and longer arms. The study estimates the animal could have weighed several hundred kilograms.
This finding adds to a growing body of evidence that cephalopods—the group including octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish—were more diverse and ecologically important in the Cretaceous than previously recognized. The giant octopus likely preyed on fish, small reptiles, and other marine animals, using its powerful arms and beak to capture and consume prey.
The research team emphasized that the fossils are rare because octopus bodies are mostly soft and rarely preserved. The discovery was made possible by exceptional preservation conditions in a shallow sea environment. Further analysis is ongoing to determine the exact species and its relationship to modern octopuses.
