Dinosaur: Book Review :: Monsters Of The Deep

Tylosaurus: Most Dangerous Predator Of The Sea

While dinosaurs ruled the land, the oceans of the world were filled with incredible species of their own. Vast marine reptiles dominated the seas. Some of these fearsome swimming creatures grew to nearly 65 feet long – the largest predators the world has ever known. They were the real-life monsters of the deep.

Tylosaurus

This is one of the biggest creatures that fall under the mosasaur species. At 50 feet long, it stalked its prey from below, surging upward to strike with its enormous snout. With its flat head and hinged snake-like jaw, this sea monster probably devoured most if its prey in one gigantic bite. By its shear size alone, Tylosaurus was one of the most dangerous predators in the entire ocean.

Cretoxyrhina mantelli

At more than 24 feet, this sea creature was twice as big as a Great White Shark. It cut through the water like a torpedo, able to slice the flesh of anything it encountered with its razor-sharp, curved teeth. Perfectly designed, a deadly hunter and the biggest fish in the sea – its modern-day shark descendants certainly have some big “fins” to fill.

Archelon

This prehistoric giant turtle could grow up to 15 feet in length and 16 feet in width, from flipper to flipper. Weighing more than 2.5 tons, it fed on jellyfish and probably had a life span of 50 to 100 years.

Elasmosaurus

This 46-foot long creature lived on small prey, trapping them in its interlocking teeth. It would sneak up on prey with its incredibly long neck. It also swallowed stones to weigh it down when it dove into the deep sea.

Xiphactinus audax

This gigantic fish grew to a massive 20 feet and had a head as big as a grizzly bear. It also possessed needle-sharp pointed teeth and could swallow prey more than 6 feet long completely whole.