Jurassic World’s Mosasaurus: A Water Dinosaur or a Marine Reptile?

Remember Jurassic World’s huge water pool in which a giant fearsome sea creature is seen catching a Pteranodon? That terrifying dinosaur-like water creature was Mosasaurus!

A genus of mosasaur, Mosasaurus prowled the frightening seas of the Cretaceous. It was not a dinosaur but a colossal sea lizard. Using its terrifying array of teeth, it preyed upon large fishes, seabirds, and other sea reptiles, including giant white sharks. The second set of teeth in its upper palate ensured that any prey sliding down its throat doesn’t escape. Its closest living relatives are the Komodo dragon and Monitor lizards.

Mosasaurus was named so because its first specimen was discovered near the Meuse River. This extinct carnivorous aquatic lizard existed during the Maastrichtian age of the Late Cretaceous epoch in western Europe and North America.

Common name: Mosasaurus

Meaning of the name: Meuse River Lizard

Habitat: Seas of North America and Europe 

Type: Aquatic

Age: Late Cretaceous, 66-70 million years ago

Length: 18 m or 59 ft

Weight: 5,000 kg

Diet: Carnivore

Aggression index: High

Bite force: 6000 kgs

The Oldest Mosasaurus Skeleton Was Found in a Chalk Quarry of Netherlands

Source = Dinosaurpictures

In 1764, the first skull relics were discovered by researchers in a chalk quarry of St. Pietersberg, Netherlands. And in 2012, paleontologists found the oldest Mosasaurus skeleton in the very same quarry.

It Had a Large Crocodile-Like Jaw & Big Eyes with Poor Binocular Vision

Source = Nocookie

This scary creature had a large crocodile-like jaw with two rows of sharp teeth, a weak sense of smell, and big eyes with very poor depth of perception. Its four flippers and a strong tail allowed its effortless movement in the ocean. Some prehistoric shark species could attack and slay a Mosasaurus.

Mosasaurus Attacked the Prey When it Came Up Near Water’s Surface

Source = Nocookie

Scientists believe that its major hunting strategy was staying and waiting near the water surface and attacking when the animals came up for air. It never went into deep waters to find and attack its prey. Based on a Mosasaurus fossil found in Angola in 2013, the relics of three other mosasaurs were found in its stomach. This provides evidence that these aquatic monsters might also have been cannibals. (1.1)

The Mosasaurus Feeding Show Featured in "Jurassic World" Movie

Source = Imgix

In the 2015 sci-fi adventure film Jurassic World, there was a tourist attraction at the park called the “Mosasaurus Feeding Show”. It was nothing but a parody of what SeaWorld does with lethal whales. As the spectators are watching a Great White Shark suspending above the pool, the spine-chilling Mosasaurus gushes out of the water and gulps it down. After that, the audience sees it floating inside the water. 

Later on in the film, Mosasaurus takes Zara into its grip and drops her into the pool when the Pterosaurs escape and create destruction. As the Pterosaur struggles in taking hold of her from water, the Mosasaurus pounces and devours both Zara and the Pterosaur.

Then again in the climax of Jurassic World, the Mosasaurus makes an appearance. When the Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor force the Indominus Rex into the pool, the Mosasaurus leaps out and grabs the Indominus, Rex. Mosasaurus ultimately drags it underwater and kills it.