mosasaurs
Extinct ocean predators
Mosasaurs were large marine reptiles that dominated the oceans during the late Cretaceous period, roughly 100 to 66 million years ago.
They were not dinosaurs but relatives of modern snakes and monitor lizards, with elongated bodies, paddle-like limbs, and powerful tails for swimming.
Some species exceeded 50 feet in length.
They went extinct alongside the dinosaurs.
Extinct prehistoric reptiles
- pterosaursExtinct flying reptiles
- ammonitesExtinct coiled-shell cephalopods
- vanishedDisappeared from sight
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
Foot-worn swim aids
- vertebraeInterlocking bones of spine
- forked-tongueDeliberately deceptive in speech
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- nostrilsBreathing holes in face
Preserved ancient organism traces
- excavationAct of unearthing
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- skullHead's bone casing
- specimenIndividual for examination
articulated · sediment · preservation · coprolite · pathology · reconstruction · discovery
One consuming aquatic vertebrates
- sea-turtlesFlippered marine reptiles
- plesiosaursPrehistoric marine reptiles
- divingEntering water deliberately
Taxonomic rank above species
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
dinosaurs
Extinct prehistoric reptiles
- pterosaursExtinct flying reptiles
- ammonitesExtinct coiled-shell cephalopods
- vanishedDisappeared from sight
flippers
Foot-worn swim aids
- vertebraeInterlocking bones of spine
- forked-tongueDeliberately deceptive in speech
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
fossils
Preserved ancient organism traces
- excavationAct of unearthing
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- skullHead's bone casing
specimen · articulated · sediment · preservation · coprolite · pathology · reconstruction · discovery
fish-eater
One consuming aquatic vertebrates
- sea-turtlesFlippered marine reptiles
- plesiosaursPrehistoric marine reptiles
- divingEntering water deliberately
genus
Taxonomic rank above species
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
ammonites
Extinct coiled-shell cephalopods
- vertebratesmammals, mammal, birds, bird, reptiles
- Mesozoicdinosaurs, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Spinosaurus, pterosaurs
- fossilsammonite, amber, ammonites, fossils, fossil
- prehistoric lifedinosaurs, triceratops, Velociraptor, velociraptor, stegosaurus
- Cretaceous seasammonites, plesiosaurs, marine reptiles
- reptileslizard, snake, turtle, crocodile, alligator
mosasaursdinosaurs
Extinct prehistoric reptiles
pterosaurs · theropods · sauropods · tyrannosaurs · Velociraptor
mosasaurssea turtles
Ocean-dwelling shelled reptiles
marine iguanas · saltwater crocodiles · monitor lizards · Komodo dragons · crocodiles
mosasaursplankton
Drifting marine microlife
krill · ammonites · filter feeders · small fish · bottom feeders