Mosasaurus Facts for Kids
Mosasaurus is a giant marine reptile that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, around 66 million years ago. Mosasaurus were carnivorous and were at the top of the food chain in the ocean.
Here are some interesting facts about Mosasaurus:
1. Mosasaurus were not dinosaurs. They were marine reptiles, similar to modern-day lizards, snakes, and turtles.
2. Mosasaurus were big. They could grow up to 56 feet (15 meters) long and weigh as much as 15,000 pounds (6,800 kilograms). That’s about as long as a school bus and heavier than a hippopotamus.
3. Mosasaurus had long and powerful jaws that were filled with sharp teeth. They could eat pretty much anything they wanted in the ocean – fish, squids, sea turtles, and even smaller mosasaurs.
4. Mosasaurus had a flexible neck that could move in different directions, and long strong tails that helped them swim fast and chase their prey.
5. Mosasaurus were not always in the water. They were reptiles, which means they laid eggs on land. Their babies hatched from eggs and made their way to the ocean to begin their lives in the water.
6. Mosasaurus have been featured in movies such as Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and played a brief role in the book adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
7. Most of the fossils of mosasaurs have been found in North America, Europe, and Asia.