Mosasaurus is an extinct genus of large marine reptiles that lived during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 82 to 66 million years ago. Belonging to the mosasaurid family, these impressive predators dominated the world's seas in that era, being one of the last large marine reptiles before the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction.
Mosasaurus is known for its large size, with some species reaching lengths of up to 17 meters. Its elongated and muscular body was perfectly adapted for life in the sea, presenting several characteristics that made it a formidable predator.
Mosasaurus skeleton features:
Skull:
The skull of the Mosasaurus was large and robust, with powerful jaws and sharp, conical teeth, ideal for catching and tearing apart its prey. The teeth were set in deep sockets, which provided a firm hold and reduced the likelihood of losing them during hunting.
It had a lower jaw articulated by a flexible joint, allowing a considerably wide mouth opening, which facilitated the ingestion of large prey.
Spine:
The Mosasaurus's spine was made up of a large number of vertebrae, which gave it remarkable flexibility and agility in the water. This feature allowed it to make rapid side-to-side movements to chase and capture prey.
The caudal (tail) vertebrae were adapted for swimming, with an increase in size and robustness towards the end of the tail, forming a powerful caudal fin for propulsion.
Fins:
Their limbs had evolved into fins, with limb bones (humerus, radius, ulna in the front; femur, tibia and fibula in the rear) shortened and flattened. The phalanges (finger bones) multiplied and lengthened to form fins that were used to maneuver in the water.
The front fins were generally larger than the rear fins and aided in direction and stability during swimming.
Shoulder and pelvic girdles:
The pectoral girdle (shoulders) and pelvic girdle (hip) of Mosasaurus were relatively small compared to its body, reflecting its adaptation to aquatic life. These structures were more designed to support the fins than to support the weight of the body on land.
Bone structure:
The bones of Mosasaurus were denser than those of many other marine reptiles, which helped them maintain neutral buoyancy and submerge easily.
Mosasaurus was an apex predator in its ecosystem, feeding on a variety of prey that included fish, other marine reptiles, and possibly even birds and early marine mammals. Its formidable size, along with the specialized adaptations of its skeleton, made it one of the most successful and feared marine reptiles of its time.
Museum-quality replica with a high degree of scientific rigor.
Approximate measurements of the Mosasaurus:
1:18 Scale Assembly Kit
Length 808mm
Height 626mm
Width 227mm
Snout-tail length 940 mm
Includes supports
Base not included
