All articles tagged with #mosasaur
A newly described mosasaur from Morocco, Khinjaria acuta, had dagger-like teeth and a powerful jaw, signaling a highly specialized top predator in a Late Cretaceous sea rich with diverse mosasaurs around 66 million years ago.
New research indicates that mosasaurs, giant marine reptiles, could also live in freshwater environments, as evidenced by isotope analysis of fossil teeth from North Dakota, suggesting they were not limited to oceans and may have preyed on dinosaurs in rivers before their extinction.
The Edelman Fossil Park in New Jersey, located behind a shopping center, has yielded over 100,000 fossils from more than 100 species, including the notable mosasaur, providing valuable insights into Earth's prehistoric marine life and mass extinction events, while also engaging the public through educational programs.
The largest eggs of any animal were laid by the extinct elephant bird Aepyornis maximus, weighing up to 1,000 kg, with fossil evidence suggesting even larger eggs from marine reptiles like mosasaurs. Currently, ostrich eggs are the largest among living birds, weighing about 2.6 kg. The article explores various giant eggs from extinct species and their significance in understanding animal evolution.
Louisiana's fossil record reveals a thriving marine ecosystem of mosasaurs and other species before the 66-million-year-old asteroid impact that caused mass extinction, with recent discoveries including rare marine reptile fossils, seismic evidence of ancient tsunamis, and a mammal fossil marking the rise of mammals post-dinosaurs.
Scientists discovered the largest soft-shelled egg, named Antarcticoolithus bradyi, in Antarctica, which is believed to have been laid by a giant mosasaur, challenging previous assumptions about marine reptile reproduction and the prevalence of soft-shelled eggs in prehistoric times.
Researchers in Mississippi discovered a giant vertebra from Mosasaurus hoffmannii, a massive marine predator from the late Cretaceous period, providing new insights into ancient marine life and the region's prehistoric ecology.
Scientists discovered the largest mosasaur vertebra ever found in Mississippi, revealing a massive prehistoric marine reptile from the Late Cretaceous period, highlighting the region's rich fossil history and the creature's formidable size.
Fossilized remains found in Morocco have revealed a new species of mosasaur, Khinjaria acuta, described as terrifying, nightmarish, and hideously ugly due to its large size, robust jaws, and bladelike teeth, suggesting it was an apex predator that could expand its lower jaws to eat huge prey. The creature, about eight meters long, is considered one of the world's nastiest prehistoric reptiles, joining the ranks of other bizarre-looking ancient creatures.
Paleontologists in Morocco have unearthed the fossilized remains of a previously unknown marine lizard, named Khinjaria acuta, from the Cretaceous period. Measuring about 26 feet long with dagger-like teeth, this fearsome predator hunted in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa some 66 million years ago. Belonging to the Mosasauridae family, its discovery adds to the diversity of top marine predators at the end of the Cretaceous, shedding light on the variety of hunting strategies among these ancient creatures.
Researchers have discovered a new species of mosasaur, a giant sea lizard with dagger-like teeth, that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Named Khinjaria acutus, this fearsome marine predator had a short face, long skull, and powerful jaws with teeth resembling daggers. Fossils of this creature were found in Morocco and date back to around 67-69 million years ago. The discovery sheds light on the diverse marine ecosystem of the Late Cretaceous and the predatory behavior of mosasaurs before they were wiped out by a mass extinction event.
Scientists have discovered the Wakayama Soryu, a giant aquatic lizard that dominated the Pacific seas 72 million years ago. As big as a Great White Shark, this unique creature had four large flippers and a dorsal fin, making it different from other mosasaurs. The most complete mosasaur ever found in Japan, the Wakayama Soryu had rear flippers larger than its front and used its large front fins for rapid maneuvering. Its massive tail provided acceleration, making it a deadly predator. This discovery challenges our understanding of how mosasaurs swam and sheds light on the prehistoric marine ecosystem.
Scientists in Japan have discovered the near-complete remains of a 72 million-year-old sea monster, named "blue dragon," that belonged to a new species of mosasaur. The fossils, the most complete ever found in Japan and the northwest Pacific, reveal an unusual body plan with large rear flippers and a dorsal fin, setting it apart from other mosasaurs. The creature, about the size of a great white shark, challenges our understanding of how mosasaurs swam and hunted, and highlights the diversity of these apex marine predators that lived during the Cretaceous period.
Scientists in Japan have discovered the near-complete remains of a 72 million-year-old sea monster, named "blue dragon," which belonged to a new species of mosasaur. The fossils, the most complete ever found in Japan and the northwest Pacific, reveal an unusual body plan with large rear flippers and a dorsal fin, unlike any other mosasaur. The researchers speculate that the creature used its unique flippers for diving and ascending quickly in the water, making it an adept hunter. Mosasaurs were apex marine predators during the Cretaceous period and went extinct around 66 million years ago.
University of Cincinnati researchers have classified a new species of mosasaur, an ancient apex predator, based on fossils discovered in Japan. The specimen, named "Wakayama Soryu" or "Wakayama Blue Dragon," is the most complete skeleton of a mosasaur found in Japan or the northwestern Pacific. The researchers identified it as Megapterygius wakayamaensis, noting its unique features such as large rear flippers and a dorsal fin. This discovery challenges experts' understanding of how these prehistoric reptiles swam.