Mossazaurus

Mosasaurus is an extinct genus of large marine reptiles in the order Squamata, which were closely related to modern snakes and lizards. Mosasaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous epoch, about 82 to 73 million years ago. The genus was first described in 1764 based on fossilized teeth found in a quarry in Maastricht, Netherlands. The name Mosasaurus is derived from the Meuse River (Latin: Mosa) and the Greek word "sauros" meaning lizard.

Mosasaurus were formidable predators that inhabited the oceans worldwide. They are thought to have been apex predators in their environment. These marine reptiles possessed a long, serpentine body, a powerful tail, and four paddle-like limbs that aided in propulsion and steering. Their jaws were equipped with numerous sharp teeth, ideal for grasping and tearing prey. Evidence suggests they fed on a variety of marine life, including fish, ammonites, and possibly other marine reptiles.

The discovery of Mosasaurus fossils has been crucial in understanding marine reptile evolution during the Mesozoic Era. Their appearance predates the extinction event that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs. While they were highly successful, the Mosasauridae family, including Mosasaurus, ultimately went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period along with many other species. Fossil remains have been found on every continent, indicating their widespread distribution across the ancient seas.