Species · GBIF taxon 9241142
Tylosaurus
Macrosaurus prorigerTylosaurus proriger was a colossal apex marine predator that dominated the Western Interior Seaway and Late Cretaceous oceans. Equipped with a distinctive elongated, toothless bony snout, it likely rammed prey or rival mosasaurs with concussive force before tearing them apart with recurved teeth. Fossilized stomach contents reveal an extraordinarily diverse generalist diet, containing bones of plesiosaurs, sea turtles, large teleost fish, and toothed diving birds.
PrehistoricCarnivorousMarine
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Hesperornis regalis
- Protostega gigas
- Xiphactinus audax
Predators
- Cretoxyrhina mantelli
ThreatsCretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, marine ecosystem collapse, ocean acidification
HabitatsShallow epicontinental seaways and warm coastal ocean waters
Life span20–30 years (estimated)
Classification
- FamilyMosasauridae
- SpeciesMacrosaurus proriger
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct prehistoric reptile known only from fossils; completely safe to observe in museum displays.
Responsible observation
- Museum Specimens: Examine articulated skeletons to view the cylindrical, toothless bony snout.
- Fossil Etiquette: Report potential field fossil discoveries to regional paleontologists or land authorities without digging them out.
Competitor User:A,Ocram / Public domain · cc0
Prey Ryan Schwark / CC0 · cc0
Image unavailableClose Relative Close Relative
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