Scientists Discover 43-Foot Sea Reptile Twice the Size of a Great White Shark

Scientists have identified a new giant mosasaur species from Texas, Tylosaurus rex, from fossils once thought to belong to Tylosaurus proriger.

The 80-million-year-old marine predator may have reached 43 feet long and had unusually powerful jaws built for strong bites.

Fossil evidence also points to violence within the species, suggesting these apex predators were even more aggressive than previously understood.

The discovery sharpens scientists’ view of mosasaur evolution and the size and behavior of ancient Cretaceous marine reptiles.