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Ancient Predator

All articles tagged with #ancient predator

paleontology2 years ago

Ancient Japanese 'dragons' ruled the oceans

Researchers have classified a new species of mosasaur, an ancient apex predator, based on fossils discovered in Japan. Named "Wakayama Soryu" or "Wakayama Blue Dragon," this mosasaur is the most complete skeleton found in Japan or the northwestern Pacific. It had unique features, including large rear flippers and a dorsal fin, challenging experts' understanding of how these prehistoric reptiles swam. The discovery opens up new possibilities for studying mosasaurs and their behavior in the late Mesozoic Era.

paleontology2 years ago

Unearthing Enormous Sea Monsters: New Discoveries and Ancient Cliffs

A nearly complete skull of a pliosaur, an ancient sea monster, has been discovered on the cliffs of Dorset's Jurassic Coast in the UK. The 2-meter-long fossil, with 130 razor-sharp teeth, provides new insights into the predator that lived 150 million years ago. The pliosaur is described as an underwater T. rex, measuring 10-12 meters in length with powerful limbs. The excavation, conducted after a drone survey, revealed the pliosaur's powerful bite and acute senses, including a third eye for locating prey in murky waters.

science2 years ago

Prehistoric 'Killer Tadpole' Unveiled by Scientists.

Scientists have reconstructed the face of a 330 million-year-old extinct species, Crassigyrinus scoticus, using computed tomography (CT) scanning and 3D visualization. The animal was a tetrapod, a four-limbed animal related to the first creatures to transition from water to land, and lived in coal swamps in what is now Scotland and parts of North America. The new facial reconstruction shows it had large eyes to see in muddy water, as well as lateral lines, a sensory system that allows animals to detect vibrations in water. The animal had huge teeth and powerful jaws and was adapted to hunt prey in swampy terrain.

paleontology2 years ago

Unveiling the Terrifying "Tadpole From Hell" - Ancient Predator Discovered in Scottish Fossils.

Researchers have digitally reconstructed the skull of Crassigyrinus scoticus, a 330-million-year-old species, revealing a shape similar to a modern crocodile rather than the previously assumed tall skull. The discovery sheds light on the behavior of this ancient predator, which lived in coal swamps and likely hunted like modern crocodiles. With huge teeth, big eyes, and a range of sensory adaptations, Crassigyrinus scoticus was well-suited to hunting prey in Carboniferous swamps over 300 million years ago.