Scientists have discovered the fossils of a new and giant killer mosasaur from Morocco. The mosasaur was named Thalassotitan atrox, which means “cruel sea giant.” It was one of the largest mosasaurs ever found, with a skull that was over 1.4 meters long and a body that was up to 40 feet long. That’s as big as a killer whale!
Mosasaurs were giant marine reptiles that lived in the oceans during the Cretaceous period, which ended about 66 million years ago. They were top predators and preyed on other marine animals, such as fish, sharks, and other mosasaurs. Thalassotitan atrox was no exception. Its large size and powerful jaws would have made it a formidable predator.
The fossils of Thalassotitan atrox were found in a Basin of Morocco. The basin is a rich source of dinosaur and other fossils, and it is thought to be the site of a large marine ecosystem that existed during the Cretaceous period.
Did you know?
Mosasaurs were not dinosaurs, but giant sea lizards.
They were distantly related to modern-day monitor lizards and iguanas.
The largest mosasaur ever found was Mosasaurus hoffmannii, which grew up to 60 feet long.
Mosasaurs went extinct along with the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period.
