Mosasaurus
Name Origin
Lizard from the Meuse River
Family
Mosasauridae
Classification
Reptilia, Squamata, Lepidosauria
Habitat (Discovery Location)
Netherlands, United States, Japan
Period
79 to 65 million years ago (Late Cretaceous)
Length
Approximately 12 to 13 meters
Weight
Approximately 10 to 40 tons
Diet
Piscivore (Fish-eater)
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Description
Mosasaurus was a giant marine reptile that ruled the seas during the Late Cretaceous period.
A giant marine reptile that ruled the seas in the Late Cretaceous period
Its name comes from the location where its fossil was first discovered, meaning “lizard from the Meuse River.”
Although it is sometimes treated as a dinosaur in media, it is, strictly speaking, a type of large lizard that returned to the sea, not a dinosaur.
Physical Characteristics of a Vicious Hunter
Mosasaurus could reach a length of 12 to 13 meters, making it one of the largest creatures to inhabit the seas at the time.
Along with other mosasaurids like Tylosaurus and Hainosaurus, it was an absolute ruler of the Cretaceous seas.
Its body was cylindrical, with a head that tapered to a point and sharp teeth for tearing prey.
It had sharp teeth for tearing prey
Its backward-curving teeth were designed to prevent prey from escaping once caught.
It is believed to have been an opportunistic predator, preying on anything it saw, including fish, ammonites, and even other marine reptiles.
While it was once thought to have a tail like a land-based lizard, recent research has revealed that it had a fin-like tail, similar to that of a shark or dolphin.
Its front and hind legs evolved into paddles, and it appears to have swum at high speeds by undulating its body from side to side.
Aggressive Nature and a Storied History of Discovery
Many fossils have been found with bite marks from other creatures.
This suggests that Mosasaurus not only preyed on other animals but also engaged in fierce territorial fights with other species, including its own kind.
The first Mosasaurus fossil was discovered in the late 1700s, and because the fossil was famously stolen as a war trophy, it was nicknamed “the monster of Maastricht.”
It was later formally recognized as an ancient reptile in 1822.
Its portrayal as a ferocious hunter in the film Jurassic World brought it great popularity due to its powerful presence. Fossils have also been discovered in Japan, where research is ongoing.
A vicious hunter
Discoveries in Japan and Its Diversity
Mosasaurus fossils are abundant in many countries around the world, and there have been discoveries in Japan as well.
There are over 20 species in the Mosasauridae family, so it is common practice in the paleontology community to specify the species when talking about Mosasaurus.
Its overwhelming power and mysterious ecology continue to captivate many people today.