Did 19-meter Kraken-like octopus really exist? Study reveals surprising findings

A giant 19-meter Kraken-like octopus is said to have prowled ancient seas, according to a new study.

The researchers revealed in their findings that in ancient seas, Kraken-like octopuses, longer than a bus, were capable of dragging ships to their doom.

The study was carried out by scientists from Hokkaido University in Japan that challenges the narrative scientists had of ancient octopuses.

The research appeared in the journal Science on April 23, 2026.

The study findings suggest that giant octopuses cruised through the seas, capable of crushing hard shells and fish skeletons.

The study further spotlights that a body length of about 1.5 to 4.5 meters, which, when the long arms are included, measures roughly 7 to 19 meters.

The study lead author Yasuhiro Iba said, “These animals were remarkable. With their large bodies, long arms, powerful jaws and advanced behavior, they represent what could be described as a real Cretaceous Kraken.”

Iba said his work showed “giant invertebrates, namely octopuses, also functioned as apex predators in the Cretaceous sea.”

Researchers studied fossils from Japan and Canada’s Vancouver Island.

It featured extreme damage on the creature’s “beak,” the only rigid part of an octopus’s body, which dates back up to 100m years, indicating they regularly crushed hard bones and shells.