Some of the largest creatures that have ever inhabited this world lived millions of years ago. Below are ten of the biggest, scariest sea monsters, who once prowled the oceans:
10. Shastasaurus
Ichthyosaurs were marine predators that looked like modern dolphins and could reach enormous sizes; they lived in Triassic about 200 million years ago.
Shastasaurus, the largest species of marine reptile ever found, was an ichthyosaur that could grow to more than 20 meters. It was much longer than most other predators. But one of the largest creatures to ever swim the sea wasn't quite a terrible predator; Shastasaurus fed by suction, and ate mainly fish.
9. Dakosaurus
Dacosaurus was first discovered in Germany, and with its strangely reptilian yet fish-like body, it was one of the main predators in the sea during the Jurassic period.
His fossil remains were found over a very wide area - they were found everywhere, from England to Russia to Argentina. Although it is usually compared to modern crocodiles, Dakosaurus could reach 5 meters in length. Its unique teeth led scientists to believe it was a top predator during its terrible reign.
8. Thalassomedon
Thalassomedon belonged to the Pliosaur group, and its name is translated from Greek as “Lord of the Sea” - and for good reason. Thalassomedons were huge predators, reaching up to 12 meters in length.
It had nearly 2 meter long flippers, allowing it to swim in the depths with deadly efficiency. Its reign as a predator lasted until the late Cretaceous period, until it finally came to an end when new, larger predators such as Mosasaurs appeared in the sea.
7. Nothosaurus
Nothosaurs, reaching a length of only 4 meters, were aggressive predators. They were armed with a mouthful of sharp, externally directed teeth, indicating that their diet consisted of squid and fish. It is believed that Nothosaurus were primarily ambush predators. They used their sleek, reptilian physique to sneak up on their prey and surprise it when attacking.
It is believed that Nothosaurus were relatives of pliosaurs, another type of deep sea predator. Evidence obtained from fossil remains suggests that they lived during the Triassic period about 200 million years ago.
6. Tylosaurus
Tylosaurus belonged to the Mosasaurus species. He was huge size, and reached more than 15 meters in length.
Tylosaurus was a meat eater with a very varied diet. Traces of fish, sharks, smaller mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and even some flightless birds have been found in their stomachs. They lived at the end of the Cretaceous period in a sea that spanned what is now North America, where they sat tightly at the top of the marine food chain for several million years.
5. Thalattoarchon Saurophagis
Only recently discovered, Thalattoarchon was the size of a school bus, reaching almost 9 meters in length. This is an early species of ichthyosaur that lived during the Triassic period, 244 million years ago. Due to the fact that they appeared shortly after Permian extinction(the largest mass extinction on Earth, when scientists believe 95% marine flora and fauna was destroyed), its discovery gives scientists the opportunity to take a fresh look at fast recovery ecosystems.
4. Tanystropheus
Although Tanystrophey was not strictly sea life, his diet consisted mainly of fish, and scientists believe that most he spent his time in the water. Tanystropheus was a reptile that could reach 6 meters in length and is believed to have lived during the Triassic period about 215 million years ago.
3. Liopleurodon
Liopleurodon was a marine reptile that reached more than 6 meters in length. It primarily lived in the seas that covered Europe during the Jurassic period, and was one of the top predators of its time. Its jaws alone are believed to have reached more than 3 meters - this is approximately equal to the distance from floor to ceiling.
With such huge teeth, it is not difficult to understand why Liopleurodon dominated the food chain.
2. Mosasaurus
If Liopleurodon was huge, then Mosasaurus was colossal.
Evidence obtained from fossil remains suggests that Mosasaurus could reach up to 15 meters in length, making it one of the largest marine predators of the Cretaceous period. The Mosasaurus's head was similar to that of a crocodile, and was armed with hundreds of razor-sharp teeth that could kill even the most heavily armored opponents.
1. Megalodon
One of the largest predators in maritime history and one of largest sharks Ever recorded, Megalodons were incredibly fearsome creatures.
Megalodons prowled the depths of the oceans during the Cenozoic era, 28 to 1.5 million years ago, and were a much larger version of the great white shark, the most feared and powerful predator in the oceans today. But while maximum length which modern great white sharks can reach is 6 meters, Megalodons could grow up to 20 meters in length, which means they were larger than a school bus!
Horseshoe crabs are considered to be the most ancient animals living on Earth - aquatic chelicerates from the class merostomaceae. On this moment There are four known modern species of these arthropods. They live in the shallow waters of tropical seas South-East Asia And Atlantic coast North America. Horseshoe crabs appeared on our planet approximately 450 million years ago.
Neopilin cephalopods originated on Earth 355-400 million years ago. They live in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans at depths from 1800 to 6500 meters. These creatures were discovered only in 1957.
Coelacanths are the only one modern gender lobe-finned fish and are now considered living fossils. Now there are only two types of coelacanths - one lives in the eastern and south coast Africa, and the second was first described only in 1997-1999. near the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia.
Interestingly, at the moment, scientists do not know what a young coelacanth looks like and where young fish live for the first few years of their lives - not a single young individual was identified during dives. It is believed that coelacanths originated on Earth 300-400 million years ago.
Cockroaches appeared on our planet about 320 million years ago and have been actively spreading since then - scientists currently know more than 200 genera and 4,500 species.
The remains of cockroaches are, along with the remains of cockroaches, the most numerous traces of insects in Paleozoic deposits.
The oldest surviving to this day large predator is a crocodile. However, it is considered the only surviving species of crurotarsians - a group that also included a number of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. It is believed that crocodiles appeared on Earth approximately 250 million years ago.
Crocodiles are common in all tropical countries, living in a variety of fresh water bodies; relatively few species are tolerant of salt water and are found in coastal seas ( Nile crocodile, saltwater crocodile, African narrow-snouted crocodile).
The first crocodiles lived mainly on land and only later moved on to life in the water. All modern crocodiles are adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle - living in water, they, however, lay eggs on land.
Small crustaceans of the class of branchiopods appeared on Earth 220-230 million years ago, when dinosaurs still lived on the planet. Shield bugs are small creatures and are rarely longer than 12 cm, however due to unique system they managed to survive.
The fact is that shieldfish live in stagnant water of temporary fresh water bodies, due to which they are spared natural enemies and in their niche they are at the top of the ecological pyramid.
Hatterias, a type of reptile, are the only modern representative ancient order of beakheads. They live only on a few islands of New Zealand, although on the North and South Islands Hatterias are already extinct.
These reptiles grow up to 50 years old, and average duration life is 100 years. It is believed that they originated on the planet 220 million years ago, and now tuataria are included in the IUCN Red List and have protective status vulnerable species.
The Nephila spider is not only considered the oldest on the planet - scientists believe that this genus originated about 165 million years ago - but it is also the largest web-weaving spider. These spiders live in Australia, Asia, Africa, America and the island of Madagascar.
Interestingly, fishermen collect Nephila webs, form them into a ball, which they then throw into the water to catch fish.
IN prehistoric times lived some of the largest and most terrible predators that ever existed on Earth. Some relied on their incredible strength or speed, while others used the element of surprise to satisfy their hunger. Despite these dissimilar hunting styles, each of these hunters had an inherent general characteristics– they were one of the best hunters of their time. These 25 amazing prehistoric predators had their own special ways of hunting that kept them at the top of the food chain.
25. Megalania
Megalania is currently the largest known terrestrial reptile ever existed. It is believed that she had glands in her mouth that produced toxins, making her relatively poisonous.
24. Titanoboa
Titanoboa, which means "titanic boa (boa constrictor)", currently holds the title of most large snake ever lived on Earth. It is believed that it reached a length of up to 15 meters. The snake rushed at its victim, wrapped itself around the prey and squeezed it to death.
23. Sarcosuchus
Sarcosuchus was similar to modern crocodiles in that it spent most of its time waiting, submerged completely underwater. He was not particularly picky about his prey, as he would ambush unsuspecting prey that he could overpower.
22. Smilodon
Smilodon, commonly called the saber-tooth tiger, is known for its two super-long fangs. It is thought to rely primarily on ambush hunting, pouncing on large herbivores and sinking its fangs into prey to strike vital organs.
21. Pterygotus
Despite its small size compared to others prehistoric predators, Pterygotus was one of the best predators in shallow waters sea waters. It relied on surprise attacks to catch prey. He would bury himself in the sand and wait for an unsuspecting fish to swim past him so he could grab it with his claws.
20. Cameroceras
Cameroceras relied on its sense of smell to hunt prey in the dark depths of the ocean. Like squids, they grabbed their prey tightly with their tentacles and then tore the prey to pieces with their sharp beaks.
19. Plesiosaurus
The plesiosaur was recognizable by its small head, long neck and stocky body. Despite lacking the ideal features of an apex predator, plesiosaurs fed various types fish and cephalopods.
18. Thylacoleo
Although its name means "marsupial lion", Thylacoleo was actually a carnivorous marsupial. It is believed that he killed his prey and lifted the carcasses into trees using his strength, powerful jaws and sharp claws.
17. Giganotosaurus
Giganotosaurus was large and fast, but compared to other similar prehistoric animals, it was significantly lacking in bite power. This, however, did not stop him on his way to becoming one of the best predators of his time.
16. Basilosaurus
Basilosaurus had incredibly small fins compared to the rest of its body, and paleontologists believe it propelled itself through the water in a manner similar to that of a moray eel. Despite its shortcomings, Basilosaurus easily fed on sharks and other fish.
15. Gorgonops
Gorgonops was recognizable by its two very large fangs, similar to those of saber-toothed cats. He used these teeth in the same way - by piercing the thick hides of his prey. The placement of Gorgonops's legs directly underneath its body also allowed it to chase prey at high speeds.
14. Dakosaurus
Dacosaurus, whose name means "biting reptile", dominated shallow seas during the Late Jurassic and early Cretaceous. It is believed that its wide jaw and serrated teeth were used to tear chunks of meat from prey.
13. Tyrannosaurus
Probably the most known species dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus is known for its massive skull and small forelimbs. Its keen vision and sense of smell allowed it to survive as both a scavenger and a predator.
12. Ornithosuchus
Ornithosuchus, whose name means “crocodile bird,” was similar in structure and characteristics to a crocodile. Unlike the crocodile, it was capable of running on its hind legs, allowing it to run at higher speeds.
11. Megalodon
Megalodon, comparable to the great white shark, was one of the most fearsome marine predators to ever swim the Earth's seas. Its size, power and speed allowed it to dominate the ancient oceans. Its diet consisted mainly of large prehistoric whales, as well as any other creatures that it could get its teeth into.
10. Kronosaurus
Kronosaurus used its strength and power to swim quickly and easily through ocean waters. It is believed that he quenched his appetite with the help of plesiosaurs and sea turtles.
9. Carnotaurus
Cranotaurus got its name, meaning "carnivorous bull", from the two distinct horns on its head. It relied on quick, consistent attacks to weaken its prey.
8. Liopleurodon
Liopleurodon, whose name means "smooth-sided tooth", had a body that allowed it to quickly develop speed. This made it possible to quickly attack prey, which had no time to react to the attack.
7. Utahraptor
As you might have guessed from the name, Utahraptor was discovered in Utah. One of its most distinctive characteristics is large second thumb on each of his hind legs. Utahraptors used this finger as a weapon to inflict deep wounds, eviscerate and tear apart their prey.
6. Allosaurus
Allosaurus, whose name means “other lizard,” had a strong skull but small teeth. This led paleontologists to the conclusion that allosaurs, when attacking their victims, hit their upper jaw like an ax.
5. Quetzalcoatlus
Quetzalcoatlus, whose wingspan was about 15 meters, was one of the largest flying animals of all time. Most recent finds indicate that its feeding habits were similar to storks and herons. Paleontologists believe that he landed in order to hunt land creatures. Now he wouldn’t have any problems with feeding, because you can buy feed quite easily.
4. Tylosaurus
Tylosaurus was a large oceanic predator similar to an aquatic lizard. It is believed that it used its blunt snout to slam into and stun its prey, leaving the victim helpless in the water.
3. Koolasuchus
Kulazukh was large amphibian with a massive head. The amphibian lived in aquatic environment habitat, hunting fish, shellfish and even small mammals that approached the kulasuchus during a watering hole.
2. Spinosaurus
Spinosaurus is mostly recognizable due to its unique combination of physical attributes, such as its long, thin skull and the "fin" on its back. Paleontologists believe it used its elongated jaw to hunt fish and other small land-based prey.
1. Dunkleosteus
Dunkleosteus was a unique marine predator due to the fact that it had no teeth. Instead, it had bony plates that turned its mouth into something similar to a sea turtle's beak. This allowed it to attack prey, which was protected from predators by a layer of reinforced skin.
We often hear that more and more more types animals are on the verge of extinction, and their extinction is only a matter of time. The inexorable expansion of areas of human activity, such as hunting, destruction natural environment habitats, climate change and other factors are contributing to species extinction rates that are 1,000 times greater than natural level. Even though species extinction is a tragedy, sometimes it can be beneficial for a certain species... ours! From a 12-meter mega-snake to giraffe-sized flying creatures, today we tell you about twenty-five stunning extinct creatures that, fortunately, no longer exist.
25. Pelagornis sandersi
With a wingspan estimated to exceed 7 meters, Pelargonis Sandersi appears to be the largest flying bird ever discovered. It is possible that the bird could only fly by jumping off cliffs and spent most of its time above the ocean, where it relied on wind currents bouncing off the ocean to keep it aloft. Although it is considered the largest of the flying birds, compared to pterosaurs such as Quetzalcoatlus with a wingspan of almost 12 meters, it was quite modest in size.
24. Euphoberia (giant centipede)
Ephoberia, which is similar to modern centipedes in shape and behavior, had a striking difference - its length was almost a full meter. Scientists are not entirely sure what exactly it ate, but we do know that some modern centipedes feed on birds, snakes and bats. If a 25-centimeter centipede eats birds, imagine what a centipede almost 1 meter long could eat.
23. Gigantopithecus
Gigantopithecus lived in what is now Asia from 9 million to 100,000 years ago. They were the largest primates on Earth. Their height was 3 meters, and they weighed up to 550 kilograms. These creatures walked four paws, like modern gorillas or chimpanzees, but there are also those scientists who are of the opinion that they walked on two legs, like people. The features of their teeth and jaws suggest that these animals were adapted to chewing hard, fibrous foods, which they cut, crushed and chewed.
22. Andrewsarchus
Andrewsarchus was gigantic predatory mammals, who lived during the Eocene era 45 - 36 million years ago. Based on the skull and several bones found, paleontologists estimate the predator could have weighed up to 1,800 kilograms, possibly making it the largest land-based carnivorous mammal ever known. However, the behavioral habits of this creature are unclear and according to some theories, Andrewsarchus could have been an omnivore or a scavenger.
21. Pulmonoscorpius
Literally translated, Pulmonoscorpius means “breathing scorpion.” It's extinct giant look scorpion, which lived on Earth during the Visean era of the Carboniferous period (approximately 345 - 330 million years ago). Based on fossils found in Scotland, it is believed that the length of this species was approximately 70 centimeters. It was a terrestrial animal that most likely fed on small arthropods and tetrapods.
20. Megalania
Megalania, endemic south australia, went extinct as recently as about 30,000 years ago, meaning that the first Aboriginal people to settle in Australia may well have encountered it. Scientific estimates regarding the size of this lizard vary greatly, but its length may have reached approximately 7.5 meters, making it the largest large lizard from ever existing.
19. Helicoprion
Helicoprion, one of the longest-living prehistoric creatures (310 – 250 million years ago), is a shark-like fish from the genus subclass that was distinguished by its spiral-shaped clusters of teeth called dental helices. The length of Helicoprion could reach up to 4 meters, but the body length of its closest living relative, the chimera, reaches only 1.5 meters.
18. Entelodon
Unlike its modern relatives, Entelodon was a pig-like mammal with a wild appetite for meat. Perhaps the most monstrous-looking of all mammals, Entelodon walked on four legs and was almost as tall as a human. Some scientists believe that entelodons were cannibals. And if they could even eat their relatives, then they would definitely eat you.
17. Anomalocaris
Anomalocaris (which means “abnormal shrimp”), which lived in almost all seas Cambrian period, was a species of marine animal related to ancient arthropods. Scientific research suggest that it was a predator that fed on sea creatures with hard shells, as well as trilobites. They were particularly notable for their eyes, which were equipped with 30,000 lenses and were considered the most advanced eyes of any species of the period.
16. Meganeura
Meganeura is a genus of extinct insects from the Carboniferous period that resemble and are related to modern dragonflies. With a wingspan of up to 66 centimeters, it is one of the largest known flying insects that has ever lived on Earth. Meganeura was a predator and its diet consisted mainly of other insects and small amphibians.
15. Attercopus
Attercopus was a species of spider-like animal that possessed a tail like a scorpion. During long period At one time, Attercopus was thought to be the prehistoric ancestor of modern spiders, but scientists who discovered the fossils found more specimens more recently and rethought their original conclusion. Scientists find it unlikely that Attercopus spun webs, but think it is quite possible that it used silk to wrap its eggs, construct threads for locomotion, or to line the walls of its burrows.
14. Deinosuchus
Deinosuchus is an extinct species related to modern crocodiles and alligators that lived on Earth between 80 and 73 million years ago. Even though he was much larger than any of the modern species, in general he looked the same. The body length of Deinosuchus was 12 meters. He had big ones sharp teeth, capable of killing and eating sea turtles, fish and even large dinosaurs.
13. Dunkleosteus
Dunkleosteus, which lived approximately 380–360 million years ago during the Late Devonian period, was a large carnivorous fish. Thanks to its terrifying size, reaching up to 10 meters and weighing almost 4 tons, it was the apex predator of its time. The fish had very thick and hard scales, which made it a rather slow but very powerful swimmer.
12. Spinosaurus
Spinosaurus, which was larger than a tyrannosaurus, is the largest carnivorous dinosaur to ever exist. The length of his body was 18 meters and he weighed up to 10 tons. Spinosaurus ate tons of fish, turtles, and even other dinosaurs. If this horror lived in modern world, then we probably wouldn’t be there.
11. Smilodon
Smilodon, endemic to the Americas, roamed the earth during the Pleistocene era (2.5 million to 10,000 years ago). He is the best famous example saber tooth tiger. It was a strongly built predator with particularly well-developed forelimbs and exceptionally long and sharp upper fangs. The largest species could weigh up to 408 kilograms.
10. Quetzalcoatlus 
With an incredible wingspan of 12 meters, this giant pterosaur was the most large creature who has ever flown on Earth, including modern birds. However, calculating the size and mass of this creature is very problematic, since no living creature is similar in size or body structure, and as a result, published results vary greatly. One distinguishing characteristic that was observed in all specimens found was an unusually long, rigid neck.
9. Hallucigenia
The name hallucination comes from the idea that these creatures are extremely strange and have a fairy-tale appearance, as in a hallucination. The worm-like creature had a body length that varied from 0.5 to 3 centimeters and a head that lacked sensory organs such as eyes and nose. Instead, Hallucigenia had seven claw-tipped tentacles on each side of its body and three pairs of tentacles behind them. To say that this creature was strange is to say nothing.
8. Arthropleura
Arthropleura lived on Earth in the late Carboniferous period(340 - 280 million years ago) and was endemic to what is now North America and Scotland. It was the largest known terrestrial invertebrate species. Despite its enormous length of up to 2.7 meters and previous conclusions, Arthropleura was not a predator, it was a herbivore that fed on rotting forest plants.
7. Short-faced bear
The short-faced bear is an extinct member of the bear family that lived in North America from the late Pleistocene to 11,000 years ago, making it one of the most recently extinct creatures on the list. However, in size it was truly prehistoric. Standing on my own hind legs, it reached a height of 3.6 meters, and if it extended its front legs upward, it could reach 4.2 meters. According to scientists, the short-faced bear weighed more than 1,360 kilograms.
6. Megalodon
Megalodon, whose name translates to "big tooth", is an extinct species giant shark, which lived from 28 to 1.5 million years ago. With its incredible length of 18 meters, it is considered one of the largest and most powerful predators that has ever lived on Earth. Megalodon lived all over the world and looked like a much larger and more terrifying version of the modern white shark.
5. Titanoboa
Titanoboa, which lived approximately 60–58 million years ago during the Paleocene epoch, is the largest, longest and heavy snake ever discovered. Scientists believe that the largest individuals could reach a length of up to 13 meters and weigh approximately 1133 kilograms. Her diet usually consisted of giant crocodiles and turtles, which shared her territory in modern times. South America.
4. Phorusrhacid
These prehistoric creatures, informally known as "terror birds", are an extinct species of large carnivorous birds that were the most close-up view top predators in South America Cenozoic era, 62–2 million years ago. These are the largest flightless birds that have ever lived on Earth. The terrifying birds reached 3 meters in height, weighed half a ton and could supposedly run as fast as a cheetah.
3. Cameroceras
Cameroceras, which lived on our planet in the Ordovician period 470 - 440 million years ago, was a giant ancient ancestor of modern cephalopods and octopuses. The most distinctive part of this mollusk was its huge cone-shaped shell and tentacles, which it used to catch fish and other sea creatures. Estimates of the size of this shell vary greatly, from 6 to 12 meters.
2. Carbonemys
Carbonemis is an extinct species giant turtle, which lived on Earth approximately 60 million years ago. This means they survived the mass extinction that killed off most dinosaurs. Fossil remains that were found in Colombia suggest that the length of the turtle's shell was almost 180 centimeters. The turtle was a carnivore with huge jaws that were strong enough to eat large animals such as crocodiles.
1. Jaekelopterus
At an estimated size of 2.5 meters, Jaekelopterus is one of the two largest arthropods ever found. Although it is sometimes called " sea scorpion", in fact, he was more of a giant lobster, living in freshwater lakes and rivers in what is today Western Europe. This terrifying creature lived on Earth approximately 390 million years ago, earlier than most dinosaurs.
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