Demystifying Science — October 14, 2018

Updated - October 14, 2018 10:15 am IST

Published - October 14, 2018 12:02 am IST

What is a Mosasaur?

It was an enormous marine reptile that was contemporary to the Tyrannosaurus rex during the Cretaceous Period more than 65 million years ago. It had a body shape similar to today’s orcas (killer whales), with flippers, powerful tails and sharp teeth. Some grew bigger than orcas to nearly the size of a school bus. In their time they were the apex predators of the seas. Some mosasaurs had short, powerful jaws capable of crushing the shells of sea turtles. Others had pointy teeth which suggests that they fed mostly on fish. A study has been published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology . — Science Daily

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