Introducing the Mosasaur
Mosasaurs were not dinosaurs, but marine reptiles. Dominating the seas of the Late Cretaceous, these fearsome predators reached sizes up to 50 feet long.
Varied Mosasaur Diet
Mosasaurs had a diverse diet, including fish, ammonites, and even other marine reptiles. Their double-hinged jaws and flexible skulls allowed them to swallow large prey whole.
Paddle-Like Limbs Evolution
Mosasaurs evolved from legged land-lizards. Over time, their limbs transformed into powerful, paddle-like flippers suitable for an aquatic lifestyle, similar to modern whales.
Global Mosasaur Distribution
Fossil evidence shows mosasaurs were globally distributed, with remnants found on every continent, indicating they were the apex predators of the ancient seas.
Unique Mosasaur Features
Mosasaurs possessed a second set of teeth in their upper palate, ensuring captured prey could not escape, a feature not seen in any other marine reptile.
Mosasaur Birth Mysteries
It's hypothesized that mosasaurs gave birth to live young in the water, unlike many reptiles. However, direct evidence of their reproductive behavior remains elusive.
Mosasaur Extinction Event
The mass extinction event 66 million years ago that wiped out the dinosaurs also led to the demise of mosasaurs, ending their reign as the ocean's top predators.
What were mosasaurs?
Cretaceous marine dinosaurs
Late Cretaceous marine reptiles
Early Jurassic amphibians
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