Mosasaurus

Name meaning:

Lizard of the Meuse

Period of life:

83–66 mya

Period:

Cretaceous period

Habitat:

Marine environment

Taxonomy:

Lizards and snakes

Countries:

Cretaceous period Mosasaurus | 3D Dinopedia

Saltasaurus

Edmontosaurus

Mosasaurus (83–66 mya)

Mosasaurians are a group of marine lizards; one of the most famous genera is Mosasaurus. It was a formidable marine predator of the Cretaceous Period, living about 70 million years ago. These giant reptiles inhabited warm shallow seas that at the time covered areas of what are now the United States, Europe, Africa, New Zealand, and even Antarctica. While dinosaurs dominated on land, mosasaurs reigned supreme in the oceans.

Different species of mosasaurs varied greatly in size. Some reached only 7–8 meters in length, while others grew to 15–17 meters — comparable to the length of a modern bus. Body size and skull shape likely determined diet: smaller species, such as Mosasaurus lemonnieri, had a narrow, elongated head and thin, spike-like teeth. They fed mainly on fish and soft-bodied mollusks.

Their gigantic relatives, such as Mosasaurus hoffmanni, were true sea monsters. Their massive skulls and powerful jaws armed with large, conical teeth allowed them to easily crush turtle shells, tear the flesh of other marine reptiles — and possibly even attack dinosaurs that wandered into shallow waters.

Mosasaurs moved swiftly and gracefully. Their bodies were streamlined, and the tail, which made up nearly half of the total body length, ended in a fin that helped them reach speeds of about 30 kilometers per hour. In body structure and swimming style, these reptiles resembled modern sharks.

Scientists believe that mosasaurs had a relatively weak sense of smell — the Jacobson’s organ, responsible for detecting odors, was poorly developed. Their vision, however, was likely excellent: large eye sockets allowed them to see well even in the dim light of underwater depths. Thanks to keen eyesight and lightning-fast reactions, mosasaurs occupied the apex of the food chain in ancient seas.

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