Liopleurodon

Liopleurodon is considered one of the largest carnivores ever to live on the planet, not the sperm whale of today, which is about 66 feet in length and can weigh up to 50 tons, bigger than any predatory dinosaur. Liopleurodon was truly massive, it is estimated that it grew up to 82 feet in length and its weight could have reached 75 tons or perhaps even 150 tons. This exceeds the weight of the biggest dinosaurs, such as Brachiosaurus and Argentinosaurus. Liopleurodon was almost as long as Apatosaurus and Mamenchisaurus, two of the largest dinosaurs. It is possible that Liopleurodon many had beaten its present-day rival for the most gigantic animal ever on earth, the blue whale.

Liopleurodon was able to grow to such an enormous size due to the fact that it lived in water. Compared to other animals on land, water helps to support the creature’s weight making it easier to move around. Fossils of Liopleurodon included fairly complete skeletons and many separate bones. They have been found in Europe, mainly from France, Germany and England. Other similar remains have been discovered in Chile, South America.

Liopleurodon was able to eat whatever it wanted. Most fish were too small and would only make a light snack. The large skull and teeth of Liopleurodon and made the animal suited for bigger meals, which included its sea reptile cousins like Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurs and smaller types of Pliosaurs. Liopleurodon’s skull was up to one quarter of its total body length. It measured 16 feet in length, longer than the whole bodies of many dinosaurs. Liopleurodon’s teeth were at the front of the jaws, like to curb rows of deadly daggers.

Liopleurodon’s rear flipper-limbs were larger than the front pair; each was the opposite of most Plesiosaurs. A Pliosaur probably pushed forward by flapping the back pair, and use the front flippers to make quick turns when chasing its prey.