Cretaceous Octopus: Longer Than a School Bus?

Science Update from ICR · May 18, 2026

Based on a new fossil discovery and reevaluation of previously known fossil material, paleontologists have described two species of giant Cretaceous fossil octopuses, Nanaimoteuthis jeletzkyi and Nanaimoteuthis haggarti.1–3 These fossil octopuses belong to the suborder Cirrata, or Cirrina. Cirrate octopuses have cilia-like strands on their arm suckers and fins on their mantles (large, umbrellalike organs t... More...