A recent discovery in a museum in England has challenged the previous assumption that Pliosaurs, a type of marine reptile, were only about six meters long. Researchers from the University of Portsmouth found evidence that these creatures could reach up to 14.4 meters in length, which is twice the size of an Orca whale. The discovery was made when the team stumbled upon four large vertebrae in the Abingdon County Hall Museum. These vertebrae were identified as belonging to a close relative of the Pliosaurus, a type of marine reptile with a larger, elongated head and shorter neck than the Plesiosaur.
The discovery challenges the depiction of Liopleurodon, a genus of Pliosaur, in the BBC documentary series “Walking with Dinosaurs.” The series showed Liopleurodon that were around 25 meters long, which many experts criticized as exaggerated. However, the recent discovery shows that while Liopleurodon were not as large as depicted in the series, they were still significantly larger than previously thought. The researchers believe that these creatures dominated the oceans and preyed on smaller marine crocodiles and Ichthyosaurs.
The Pliosaurs were known for their massive skulls with huge, dagger-like teeth, which were as large, if not larger, than those of a T. rex. They had four fins that served as powerful paddles to propel them through the water and a relatively short tail. The researchers believe that these creatures were capable of biting their prey with such force that they could literally tear them in half and then consume them piece by piece. Today, these hunting methods can still be traced through bite marks on Ichthyosaur bones. While the discovery of the large Pliosaur challenges previous assumptions, the researchers believe that there may be even larger species waiting to be discovered.
