Page 105 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

Dinosaurs

he age of the dinosaurs first began
in the Triassic period around 223
million years ago. These titanic
beasts dominated the Earth as
Tthe most prolific and widespread
vertebrates following a mass extinction event
in the Triassic-Jurassic period and remained so
through to the Cretaceous period, a rule lasting
just short of 200 million years. This time was
known as the Mesozoic era and saw monsters
of unfathomable size roaming the Earth and
coursing through the oceans in search of their
next victim.
One of the most famous prehistoric hunters
is Tyrannosaurus rex, a two-legged terrestrial
carnivore with a huge jaw lined with menacing
teeth balanced out by a long and powerful tail.
Even its comparatively small forelimbs were
immensely powerful, possessing two claws
that could be used for slicing the opposition
when grappling with other dinosaurs. They
possessed an immensely powerful bite too,
piercing their victims with teeth that were up
to 30 centimetres (11.8 inches) in length and
strong enough to crunch through bone.
However, even larger than the T-rex was
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, a 17-metre- (55.8-
foot-) long predator whose crocodilian snout
delivered a devastating bite. As well as
being a powerful enemy on land, the long
neck and powerful tail of this hunter meant
it was capable of pursuing prey in aquatic
environments. Specimens of this terrifying
beast show it had long spines along its back

Mosasaurs evolved
from small land lizards MOSASAURUS
into the largest apex Mosasaurus hoffmanni
predators ever to Lifespan Unknown
roam the oceans Weight Up to 14 tons

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