Molluscs

Figure 1. The ‘Kraken’ myth. Ancient tales repeatedly reported octopod-like sea-monsters attacking sea vessels. Indeed, octopuses may reach a maximum of 3 m body size, but the foundation of these ancient tales is based on giant squids (with ten rather than eight arms as depicted here) defending itself against its main predator, a sperm whale, rather than octopuses. Squids are known to leave sucker scars on young whales. These subsequently enlarge as the whale grows, which has led to overestimates of squid body lengths of more than 100 m. (Image: Houston Museum of Natural Science.) Molluscs