April 27, 2025 • 23 mins
The water is crystal clear as you descend into Jurassic World's massive lagoon, a state-of-the-art diving cage providing what the tour guides assured was a perfectly safe way to observe the park's aquatic prehistoric attractions. Schools of colorful fish dart around you, remnants of ancient species recreated through the miracle of genetic engineering. The underwater viewing stadium looms to your right, hundreds of excited faces pressed against the enormous acrylic windows, waiting for the scheduled feeding show to begin.
A shadow passes overhead – so vast that it momentarily dims the tropical sun penetrating the turquoise waters. You look up, your breath catching in your throat as you behold the park's premier aquatic attraction: Mosasaurus, the tyrant lizard of the ancient seas. Seventy-five feet of pure predatory perfection glides above your cage, its paddle-like flippers propelling its enormous body with surprising grace.
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
A shadow passes overhead – so vast that it momentarily dims the tropical sun penetrating the turquoise waters. You look up, your breath catching in your throat as you behold the park's premier aquatic attraction: Mosasaurus, the tyrant lizard of the ancient seas. Seventy-five feet of pure predatory perfection glides above your cage, its paddle-like flippers propelling its enormous body with surprising grace.
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calorogus shark media. The water is crystal clear as you
descend into Jurassic World's Massive Lagoon, a state of the
art diving cage providing what the tour guides assured was
a perfectly safe way to observe the park's aquatic prehistoric attractions.
(00:27):
Schools of colorful fish dart around you, remnants of ancient
species recreated through the miracle of genetic engineering. The underwater
viewing stadium looms to your right, hundreds of excited faces
pressed against the enormous acrylic windows, waiting for the scheduled
feeding show to begin. A shadow passes overhead, so vast
(00:52):
that it momentarily dims the tropical sun, penetrating the turquoise waters.
You look up, your breath catching in your throat as
you behold the park's premiere aquatic attraction, Mososaurus, the tyrant
lizard of the ancient seas. Seventy five feet of pure
(01:14):
predatory perfection, glides above your cage, its paddle like flippers
propelling its enormous body with surprising grace. The massive creature
banks lazily in a wide circle, giving you an unobstructed
view of its elongated body, its skin is a mottled,
(01:34):
bluish gray rough, textured like a crocodile's. The long, powerful
tail ends in a distinctive downward pointing fluke. But it's
the head that truly captures your attention. A skull larger
than your entire diving cage housing conical teeth the size
(01:55):
of railroad spikes. A second row of teeth on the
roof of its mouth ensures that anything caught in those
jaws has no hope of escape. Your radio crackles to
life Control, to diving Cage three. We're experiencing a technical
malfunction with the cage elevation system. Stand by while we
(02:18):
trouble shoot. A flicker of concern passes through your mind,
but you're too captivated by the magnificent creature circling above
to pay much attention. The most assaurus seems to be
focusing on something at the surface, likely the great white
shark suspended on a cable for the feeding demonstration. Suddenly
(02:43):
there's a metallic groan from above, and your cage lurches
downward several feet before stopping with a jolt. Equipment tumbles
around you as the stability of the cage is compromised.
A stream of bubbles escapes from a ruptured airline. The
commotion attracts the mosasaurus's attention. Its massive head swings toward you.
(03:07):
Ancient predatory instincts immediately registering the disturbance as potential prey.
Those cold reptilian eyes, larger than dinner plates, assess your
cage with a terrifying intelligence. With a powerful undulation of
its enormous body, the mosasaurus changes course, now heading directly
(03:29):
toward you. The speed of the approach is shocking. This
is no lumbering leviathan, but an active hunter, perfectly evolved
for aquatic pursuit. The creature's jaws part, revealing the cavernous
moor lined with gleaming teeth. The impact comes without warning.
(03:51):
Seventy tons of prehistoric apex predator slam into your cage,
the metal framework crumpling like aluminum foil. Seawater rushes in
as the protective barrier fails. The mosasaurus's teeth puncture the
cage in multiple places, several of them piercing through your
(04:12):
wetsuit and into your flesh. As the creature shakes its head,
treating your cage like a shark with a seal your
throne violently against the remaining structure. Bones shatter, and your
vision blurs from the impact. The mosasaurus, sensing your vulnerability,
(04:33):
adjusts its attack, focusing its enormous jaws on your section
of the now destroyed cage. The last thing you register
is the bizarre double bite action unique to mosasaurs. As
the outer jaws close on you, the second set of
teeth in the roof of the mouth descend, ensuring there's
(04:56):
no escape. As you're pulled into the darkness the creature's throat.
Your final thought is the cold realization that for all
our technological achievements, we humans are still just prey when
faced with the perfect predators of the prehistoric world. Welcome
(05:24):
to Monsters, Sharks, and Dinosaurs, the podcast that explores the
deadliest creatures to ever capture our imaginations. Today, we're diving
deep into the world of one of the most formidable
marine predators ever to exist, the mighty mosasaurus, star of
(05:46):
the Jurassic World franchise, and a creature that makes the
modern great white shark look like a minnow in comparison.
The mosasaurus made its spectacular Jurassic World franchise debut in
the twenty fifteen film Jurassic World. In what became one
of the most iconic scenes of the entire series, audiences
(06:09):
watched in awe as the massive marine reptile erupted from
its lagoon to snatch a great white shark suspended as bait,
demonstrating both its enormous size and its status as an
apex predator capable of eating what many consider to be
the ocean's most fearsome hunter. This showstopping introduction established the
(06:32):
mosasaurus as a new fan favorite and highlighted the Jurassic
World park's escalation beyond mere dinosaurs to include other prehistoric creatures.
The mosasaurus returned in Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, where it
was inadvertently released into the open ocean, and again in
(06:54):
Jurassic World Dominion, where its presence in Malta's Harbor demonstrated
the world wide impact of prehistoric creatures integrating into modern
marine ecosystems. In the Jurassic World franchise, the mosasaurus is
portrayed as essentially a giant prehistoric sea monster, larger than
(07:18):
any predatory marine reptile that actually lived, capable of consuming
great white sharks in a single bite and aggressive enough
to attack anything that enters its territory. While this portrayal
takes significant liberties with the scientific understanding of Mosasaurus, it
(07:38):
serves the narrative purpose of presenting an aquatic threat equal
in spectacle to terrestrial predators like Tyrannosaurus rex. The franchise's
Mosasaurus combines the crowd pleasing aspects of modern marine park
shows like those featuring orcas with the inherent terror of
(07:58):
an ancient giant pre editor that has no analogue in
today's oceans. This dual nature as both entertainment spectacle and
genuine monster makes it a perfect embodiment of the film's
ongoing theme about humanity's hubris in controlling nature for amusement.
(08:19):
But what do we know about the real Mossosaurus and
how does it compare to its cinematic counterpart. Mososaurus was
a genus of large predatory marine reptiles that lived during
the Late Cretaceous period from approximately eighty two to sixty
six million years ago. They were not dinosaurs, but rather
(08:40):
members of the mosasaurid family, more closely related to modern
monitor lizards and snakes than to dinosaurs or crocodilians. The
first Mosasaurus fossils were discovered in the Netherlands in the
late eighteenth century, decades before the word dinosaur was even coined.
(09:00):
These fossils caused a scientific sensation as they represented one
of the first extinct prehistoric reptiles to be scientifically described.
The discovery of these remains played a significant role in
the early development of paleontology as a scientific discipline. In
terms of size, the real Mosasaururus was indeed impressive, though
(09:25):
not quite as gigantic as depicted in the Jurassic World franchise.
The largest species, Mososaurus hoff Manny, likely reached lengths of
up to fifty six feet seventeen meters, enormous by any standard,
but significantly smaller than the estimated seventy to seventy five
(09:45):
feet of the movie version. Still, this made Mosasaurus one
of the largest marine reptiles ever to exist, rivaled only
by some ichthiosaurs and other large mosasaur species. Anatomy of
Mosasaurus was perfectly adapted for life as an apex marine predator.
(10:06):
Its body was streamlined and elongated, with four paddle like
limbs evolved from what were once legs in its terrestrial ancestors.
Unlike the movie version, which shows a more crocodile like scalation,
the real mosasaurus likely had smoother skin covered in small
(10:27):
diamond shaped scales. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Mosasaur's
anatomy was their double set of teeth. They had teeth
lining their jaws, as well as a second set on
the pterygoid bones in the roof of the mouth. This
adaptation ensured that prey, once caught, could not escape from
their grasp. This feature appears briefly in the Jurassic World
(10:50):
films during close up shots of the mosasaurus feeding. The
tail of Mosasaurus is another area where science has evolved
since the franchise portrayal. The films show the creature with
a shark like tail fin, but more recent fossil discoveries
suggest that mosasaurs actually had a downward pointing tail fluke,
(11:13):
more similar to that of ichthiosaurs or modern sharks, but
with the vertebral column extending into the lower lobe rather
than the upper lobe as in sharks. More in a moment, so,
(11:45):
could the mosasaurus really kill you the way we described
at the beginning of our episode. Absolutely, if a living
Mosasaurus existed today, it would be one of the most
dangerous marine predators on the planet. Like modern killer whales,
these marine reptiles were likely intelligent, active hunters with excellent senses,
(12:08):
particularly vision. They could detect prey from considerable distances and
were capable of high speed pursuit. The hunting strategy of
Mosasaurus was probably similar to that of modern crocodilians or
large sharks. It would have relied on powerful jaws to
seize prey, then used its strong neck muscles to shake
(12:31):
or tear the prey apart. The double set of teeth
would have made escape virtually impossible once something was caught.
The bite force of Mososaurus has been estimated to rival
or exceed that of Tyrannosaurus rex, with specialized jaw muscles
and teeth designed to crush through thick shells and bones.
(12:54):
A human court in such jaws would be killed instantly,
either from the catastrophic trauma of the bite itself or
from drowning if dragged underwater. The mosasaurus's diet likely consisted
primarily of fish, sea turtles. Ammonites, a type of shelled
cephalopod and smaller marine reptiles. There's fossil evidence suggesting that
(13:19):
larger mosasaurs even preyed on smaller members of their own kind,
demonstrating their position at the very top of the marine
food chain. While the movie's depiction of Mosasaurus hunting a
great white shark is obviously anachronistic sharks and mosasaurs never coexisted,
(13:39):
it's not entirely far fetched in terms of predatory behavior.
If they lived today, Mosasaurus would indeed be capable of
hunting large marine predators like sharks. The scenario described in
our opening, where a mosasaurus attacks a diving cage, also
has plaws elements. Many large marine predators are attracted to
(14:04):
unusual movements, sounds, or vibrations in the water. A malfunctioning
diving cage would likely draw attention from any nearby predator,
and the protective capabilities of such a cage against a
creature with the bite force of a mososaurus would be
minimal at best. One of the most fascinating aspects of
(14:28):
Mososaurus is how they evolved, unlike ichthiosaurs, which evolved from
land reptiles so ancient that their terrestrial ancestors aren't clearly identified.
Or plesiosaurs, which evolved from more lizard like reptiles, Mosasaurs
evolved from animals very similar to modern monitor lizards. This
(14:50):
relatively recent evolutionary transition in geological terms means that mosasaurs
retained many features of their terrestrial ancestors even as they
adapted to marine life. For instance, mosasaurs gave birth to
live young in the water, rather than returning to land
to lay eggs, an adaptation also seen in ichthiosaurs and
(15:14):
modern sea snakes. Recent discoveries have revealed surprising details about
mososaur biology. For example, pigment containing cells preserved in exceptional
fossils suggests that at least some mosasaurs were dark colored
on top and lighter underneath, a form of countershading camouflage
(15:38):
common in modern marine animals that helps to conceal them
both from above and below. The extinction of mossosaurs coincided
with the n Cretaceous mass extinction event sixty six million
years ago, the same event that wiped out the non
avian dinosaurs. This global catastrophe likely caused by a combination
(16:02):
of massive volcanic eruptions and an asteroid impact dramatically altered
marine ecosystems. Mosasaurs as apex predators were particularly vulnerable to
ecosystem collapse as their prey species died out. Had this
extinction event not occurred, it's possible that mossosaurs might have
(16:24):
continued to evolve and diversify, perhaps leading to even more
specialized marine forms. Instead, their disappearance, along with that of
plesiosaurs and other marine reptiles, left ecological niches that would
eventually be filled by marine mammals like whales and dolphins,
(16:45):
which evolved from terrestrial ancestors millions of years later. From
a marketing perspective, the mososaurus represented a brilliant addition to
the Jurassic World franchise. While previously films had occasionally featured
marine reptiles, like the brief mosasaurus feeding scene in Jurassic
(17:06):
Park three, none had showcased an aquatic prehistoric creature as
a major attraction or threat. The visual of the massive
mosasaurus breaching the water to snatch a great white shark
provided the perfect wow moment for trailers and promotional materials.
(17:27):
It communicated the escalation of spectacle in the new park,
showing audiences that Jurassic World would deliver prehistoric thrills beyond
what previous installments had offered. The Mosasaurus also created opportunities
for new merchandise and theme park attractions. Universal Studios Jurassic
(17:50):
World the Ride features a Mosasaurus encounter, bringing the cinematic
experience into the real world. Toys, games, and other products
featuring the marine reptile expanded the franchise's marketable characters beyond
the familiar dinosaurs. The design of the films Mosasaurus cleverly
(18:12):
combined recognizable elements from modern marine predators, the colouration and
some behaviors of orcas, the general profile of a prehistoric shark,
and the massive jaws of a crocodile to create a
creature that audiences could immediately identify as a formidable predator,
(18:33):
even if they had no prior knowledge of mosasaurs. In
promotional interviews for the films, the production team often highlighted
the mosasaurus as an example of introducing new prehistoric creatures
while remaining scientifically informed, even if they acknowledged taking creative
liberties with its size and certain behaviors. This approach allowed
(18:58):
them to balance scientific credit with the demands of blockbuster entertainment.
From a narrative perspective, the Mososaurus also served as a
living embodiment of the franchise's recurring theme about the unpredictability
and uncontrollability of nature. When it eventually escapes into the
(19:20):
ocean in Fallen Kingdom, it represents the irreversible consequences of
bringing extinct species back into a world unprepared for their presence.
As we conclude our exploration of the mighty Mosasaurus, it's
worth reflecting on why these ancient marine predators continue to
(19:43):
capture our imagination. Perhaps it's because the oceans represent the
last true wilderness on our planet, vast, largely unexplored realms
where creatures of enormous size still exist today. There's something
primal about our fear of unseen predators lurking beneath the waves.
(20:04):
The modern great white shark still evokes terror, despite being
relatively small compared to its prehistoric counterparts. When we imagine
something like Mosasaurus, several times larger than any living shark
and equipped with intelligence and hunting adaptations refined over millions
(20:25):
of years of evolution, it taps into our deepest instinctual fears.
The mosasaurus also represents a fascinating evolutionary story, a lineage
of land dwelling lizards that returned to the sea and
became one of the most successful groups of marine predators
in Earth's history. This transformation from terrestrial reptile to ocean
(20:49):
dwelling leviathan speaks to the incredible adaptability of life and
the power of natural selection to shape species for new environments.
In the Jurassic World franchise, the Mosasaurus serves as a
reminder that dinosaurs were just one part of the prehistoric world.
(21:11):
The Mesozoic era saw an incredible diversity of life forms,
many with no modern equivalents. By bringing creatures like Mosasaurus
to the screen alongside more familiar dinosaurs, the films provide
a more complete, if Hollywood enhanced picture of Earth's past.
(21:32):
There's also something humbling about the existence of creatures like Mosasaurus.
For all our technological achievements and our position at the
top of the modern food chain, we humans would be
helpless prey in the ancient oceans where these reptiles reigned.
This realization induces a kind of temporal vertigo, a sudden
(21:54):
awareness of our small place in the vast expanse of
Earth's history. So the next time you wade into the ocean,
cast a thought to the creatures that once ruled those waters.
The seas of today, patrolled by sharks and orcas, are
tame compared to the Cretaceous oceans where Mosasaurus and its
(22:16):
kind hunted. We live in a world considerably less monstrous
than it once was, a world where the most formidable
marine predators exist only as fossils and in our imagination,
and perhaps that's something to be grateful for as we
enjoy the relative safety of our modern beaches. Thank you
(22:38):
for joining us on this deep dive into the world
of Mosasaurus. Until next time, keep exploring the fascinating world
of monsters, sharks, and dinosaurs that continue to capture our
hearts and minds. Monsters, Sharks and Dinosaurs is a production
(22:59):
of Calorhoneygurt Shark Media Executive producers Mark Francis and John McDermott.
Portions of this podcast may have been created with the
assistance of Ai
Calorogus shark media. The water is crystal clear as you
descend into Jurassic World's Massive Lagoon, a state of the
art diving cage providing what the tour guides assured was
a perfectly safe way to observe the park's aquatic prehistoric attractions.
(00:27):
Schools of colorful fish dart around you, remnants of ancient
species recreated through the miracle of genetic engineering. The underwater
viewing stadium looms to your right, hundreds of excited faces
pressed against the enormous acrylic windows, waiting for the scheduled
feeding show to begin. A shadow passes overhead, so vast
(00:52):
that it momentarily dims the tropical sun, penetrating the turquoise waters.
You look up, your breath catching in your throat as
you behold the park's premiere aquatic attraction, Mososaurus, the tyrant
lizard of the ancient seas. Seventy five feet of pure
(01:14):
predatory perfection, glides above your cage, its paddle like flippers
propelling its enormous body with surprising grace. The massive creature
banks lazily in a wide circle, giving you an unobstructed
view of its elongated body, its skin is a mottled,
(01:34):
bluish gray rough, textured like a crocodile's. The long, powerful
tail ends in a distinctive downward pointing fluke. But it's
the head that truly captures your attention. A skull larger
than your entire diving cage housing conical teeth the size
(01:55):
of railroad spikes. A second row of teeth on the
roof of its mouth ensures that anything caught in those
jaws has no hope of escape. Your radio crackles to
life Control, to diving Cage three. We're experiencing a technical
malfunction with the cage elevation system. Stand by while we
(02:18):
trouble shoot. A flicker of concern passes through your mind,
but you're too captivated by the magnificent creature circling above
to pay much attention. The most assaurus seems to be
focusing on something at the surface, likely the great white
shark suspended on a cable for the feeding demonstration. Suddenly
(02:43):
there's a metallic groan from above, and your cage lurches
downward several feet before stopping with a jolt. Equipment tumbles
around you as the stability of the cage is compromised.
A stream of bubbles escapes from a ruptured airline. The
commotion attracts the mosasaurus's attention. Its massive head swings toward you.
(03:07):
Ancient predatory instincts immediately registering the disturbance as potential prey.
Those cold reptilian eyes, larger than dinner plates, assess your
cage with a terrifying intelligence. With a powerful undulation of
its enormous body, the mosasaurus changes course, now heading directly
(03:29):
toward you. The speed of the approach is shocking. This
is no lumbering leviathan, but an active hunter, perfectly evolved
for aquatic pursuit. The creature's jaws part, revealing the cavernous
moor lined with gleaming teeth. The impact comes without warning.
(03:51):
Seventy tons of prehistoric apex predator slam into your cage,
the metal framework crumpling like aluminum foil. Seawater rushes in
as the protective barrier fails. The mosasaurus's teeth puncture the
cage in multiple places, several of them piercing through your
(04:12):
wetsuit and into your flesh. As the creature shakes its head,
treating your cage like a shark with a seal your
throne violently against the remaining structure. Bones shatter, and your
vision blurs from the impact. The mosasaurus, sensing your vulnerability,
(04:33):
adjusts its attack, focusing its enormous jaws on your section
of the now destroyed cage. The last thing you register
is the bizarre double bite action unique to mosasaurs. As
the outer jaws close on you, the second set of
teeth in the roof of the mouth descend, ensuring there's
(04:56):
no escape. As you're pulled into the darkness the creature's throat.
Your final thought is the cold realization that for all
our technological achievements, we humans are still just prey when
faced with the perfect predators of the prehistoric world. Welcome
(05:24):
to Monsters, Sharks, and Dinosaurs, the podcast that explores the
deadliest creatures to ever capture our imaginations. Today, we're diving
deep into the world of one of the most formidable
marine predators ever to exist, the mighty mosasaurus, star of
(05:46):
the Jurassic World franchise, and a creature that makes the
modern great white shark look like a minnow in comparison.
The mosasaurus made its spectacular Jurassic World franchise debut in
the twenty fifteen film Jurassic World. In what became one
of the most iconic scenes of the entire series, audiences
(06:09):
watched in awe as the massive marine reptile erupted from
its lagoon to snatch a great white shark suspended as bait,
demonstrating both its enormous size and its status as an
apex predator capable of eating what many consider to be
the ocean's most fearsome hunter. This showstopping introduction established the
(06:32):
mosasaurus as a new fan favorite and highlighted the Jurassic
World park's escalation beyond mere dinosaurs to include other prehistoric creatures.
The mosasaurus returned in Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, where it
was inadvertently released into the open ocean, and again in
(06:54):
Jurassic World Dominion, where its presence in Malta's Harbor demonstrated
the world wide impact of prehistoric creatures integrating into modern
marine ecosystems. In the Jurassic World franchise, the mosasaurus is
portrayed as essentially a giant prehistoric sea monster, larger than
(07:18):
any predatory marine reptile that actually lived, capable of consuming
great white sharks in a single bite and aggressive enough
to attack anything that enters its territory. While this portrayal
takes significant liberties with the scientific understanding of Mosasaurus, it
(07:38):
serves the narrative purpose of presenting an aquatic threat equal
in spectacle to terrestrial predators like Tyrannosaurus rex. The franchise's
Mosasaurus combines the crowd pleasing aspects of modern marine park
shows like those featuring orcas with the inherent terror of
(07:58):
an ancient giant pre editor that has no analogue in
today's oceans. This dual nature as both entertainment spectacle and
genuine monster makes it a perfect embodiment of the film's
ongoing theme about humanity's hubris in controlling nature for amusement.
(08:19):
But what do we know about the real Mossosaurus and
how does it compare to its cinematic counterpart. Mososaurus was
a genus of large predatory marine reptiles that lived during
the Late Cretaceous period from approximately eighty two to sixty
six million years ago. They were not dinosaurs, but rather
(08:40):
members of the mosasaurid family, more closely related to modern
monitor lizards and snakes than to dinosaurs or crocodilians. The
first Mosasaurus fossils were discovered in the Netherlands in the
late eighteenth century, decades before the word dinosaur was even coined.
(09:00):
These fossils caused a scientific sensation as they represented one
of the first extinct prehistoric reptiles to be scientifically described.
The discovery of these remains played a significant role in
the early development of paleontology as a scientific discipline. In
terms of size, the real Mosasaururus was indeed impressive, though
(09:25):
not quite as gigantic as depicted in the Jurassic World franchise.
The largest species, Mososaurus hoff Manny, likely reached lengths of
up to fifty six feet seventeen meters, enormous by any standard,
but significantly smaller than the estimated seventy to seventy five
(09:45):
feet of the movie version. Still, this made Mosasaurus one
of the largest marine reptiles ever to exist, rivaled only
by some ichthiosaurs and other large mosasaur species. Anatomy of
Mosasaurus was perfectly adapted for life as an apex marine predator.
(10:06):
Its body was streamlined and elongated, with four paddle like
limbs evolved from what were once legs in its terrestrial ancestors.
Unlike the movie version, which shows a more crocodile like scalation,
the real mosasaurus likely had smoother skin covered in small
(10:27):
diamond shaped scales. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Mosasaur's
anatomy was their double set of teeth. They had teeth
lining their jaws, as well as a second set on
the pterygoid bones in the roof of the mouth. This
adaptation ensured that prey, once caught, could not escape from
their grasp. This feature appears briefly in the Jurassic World
(10:50):
films during close up shots of the mosasaurus feeding. The
tail of Mosasaurus is another area where science has evolved
since the franchise portrayal. The films show the creature with
a shark like tail fin, but more recent fossil discoveries
suggest that mosasaurs actually had a downward pointing tail fluke,
(11:13):
more similar to that of ichthiosaurs or modern sharks, but
with the vertebral column extending into the lower lobe rather
than the upper lobe as in sharks. More in a moment, so,
(11:45):
could the mosasaurus really kill you the way we described
at the beginning of our episode. Absolutely, if a living
Mosasaurus existed today, it would be one of the most
dangerous marine predators on the planet. Like modern killer whales,
these marine reptiles were likely intelligent, active hunters with excellent senses,
(12:08):
particularly vision. They could detect prey from considerable distances and
were capable of high speed pursuit. The hunting strategy of
Mosasaurus was probably similar to that of modern crocodilians or
large sharks. It would have relied on powerful jaws to
seize prey, then used its strong neck muscles to shake
(12:31):
or tear the prey apart. The double set of teeth
would have made escape virtually impossible once something was caught.
The bite force of Mososaurus has been estimated to rival
or exceed that of Tyrannosaurus rex, with specialized jaw muscles
and teeth designed to crush through thick shells and bones.
(12:54):
A human court in such jaws would be killed instantly,
either from the catastrophic trauma of the bite itself or
from drowning if dragged underwater. The mosasaurus's diet likely consisted
primarily of fish, sea turtles. Ammonites, a type of shelled
cephalopod and smaller marine reptiles. There's fossil evidence suggesting that
(13:19):
larger mosasaurs even preyed on smaller members of their own kind,
demonstrating their position at the very top of the marine
food chain. While the movie's depiction of Mosasaurus hunting a
great white shark is obviously anachronistic sharks and mosasaurs never coexisted,
(13:39):
it's not entirely far fetched in terms of predatory behavior.
If they lived today, Mosasaurus would indeed be capable of
hunting large marine predators like sharks. The scenario described in
our opening, where a mosasaurus attacks a diving cage, also
has plaws elements. Many large marine predators are attracted to
(14:04):
unusual movements, sounds, or vibrations in the water. A malfunctioning
diving cage would likely draw attention from any nearby predator,
and the protective capabilities of such a cage against a
creature with the bite force of a mososaurus would be
minimal at best. One of the most fascinating aspects of
(14:28):
Mososaurus is how they evolved, unlike ichthiosaurs, which evolved from
land reptiles so ancient that their terrestrial ancestors aren't clearly identified.
Or plesiosaurs, which evolved from more lizard like reptiles, Mosasaurs
evolved from animals very similar to modern monitor lizards. This
(14:50):
relatively recent evolutionary transition in geological terms means that mosasaurs
retained many features of their terrestrial ancestors even as they
adapted to marine life. For instance, mosasaurs gave birth to
live young in the water, rather than returning to land
to lay eggs, an adaptation also seen in ichthiosaurs and
(15:14):
modern sea snakes. Recent discoveries have revealed surprising details about
mososaur biology. For example, pigment containing cells preserved in exceptional
fossils suggests that at least some mosasaurs were dark colored
on top and lighter underneath, a form of countershading camouflage
(15:38):
common in modern marine animals that helps to conceal them
both from above and below. The extinction of mossosaurs coincided
with the n Cretaceous mass extinction event sixty six million
years ago, the same event that wiped out the non
avian dinosaurs. This global catastrophe likely caused by a combination
(16:02):
of massive volcanic eruptions and an asteroid impact dramatically altered
marine ecosystems. Mosasaurs as apex predators were particularly vulnerable to
ecosystem collapse as their prey species died out. Had this
extinction event not occurred, it's possible that mossosaurs might have
(16:24):
continued to evolve and diversify, perhaps leading to even more
specialized marine forms. Instead, their disappearance, along with that of
plesiosaurs and other marine reptiles, left ecological niches that would
eventually be filled by marine mammals like whales and dolphins,
(16:45):
which evolved from terrestrial ancestors millions of years later. From
a marketing perspective, the mososaurus represented a brilliant addition to
the Jurassic World franchise. While previously films had occasionally featured
marine reptiles, like the brief mosasaurus feeding scene in Jurassic
(17:06):
Park three, none had showcased an aquatic prehistoric creature as
a major attraction or threat. The visual of the massive
mosasaurus breaching the water to snatch a great white shark
provided the perfect wow moment for trailers and promotional materials.
(17:27):
It communicated the escalation of spectacle in the new park,
showing audiences that Jurassic World would deliver prehistoric thrills beyond
what previous installments had offered. The Mosasaurus also created opportunities
for new merchandise and theme park attractions. Universal Studios Jurassic
(17:50):
World the Ride features a Mosasaurus encounter, bringing the cinematic
experience into the real world. Toys, games, and other products
featuring the marine reptile expanded the franchise's marketable characters beyond
the familiar dinosaurs. The design of the films Mosasaurus cleverly
(18:12):
combined recognizable elements from modern marine predators, the colouration and
some behaviors of orcas, the general profile of a prehistoric shark,
and the massive jaws of a crocodile to create a
creature that audiences could immediately identify as a formidable predator,
(18:33):
even if they had no prior knowledge of mosasaurs. In
promotional interviews for the films, the production team often highlighted
the mosasaurus as an example of introducing new prehistoric creatures
while remaining scientifically informed, even if they acknowledged taking creative
liberties with its size and certain behaviors. This approach allowed
(18:58):
them to balance scientific credit with the demands of blockbuster entertainment.
From a narrative perspective, the Mososaurus also served as a
living embodiment of the franchise's recurring theme about the unpredictability
and uncontrollability of nature. When it eventually escapes into the
(19:20):
ocean in Fallen Kingdom, it represents the irreversible consequences of
bringing extinct species back into a world unprepared for their presence.
As we conclude our exploration of the mighty Mosasaurus, it's
worth reflecting on why these ancient marine predators continue to
(19:43):
capture our imagination. Perhaps it's because the oceans represent the
last true wilderness on our planet, vast, largely unexplored realms
where creatures of enormous size still exist today. There's something
primal about our fear of unseen predators lurking beneath the waves.
(20:04):
The modern great white shark still evokes terror, despite being
relatively small compared to its prehistoric counterparts. When we imagine
something like Mosasaurus, several times larger than any living shark
and equipped with intelligence and hunting adaptations refined over millions
(20:25):
of years of evolution, it taps into our deepest instinctual fears.
The mosasaurus also represents a fascinating evolutionary story, a lineage
of land dwelling lizards that returned to the sea and
became one of the most successful groups of marine predators
in Earth's history. This transformation from terrestrial reptile to ocean
(20:49):
dwelling leviathan speaks to the incredible adaptability of life and
the power of natural selection to shape species for new environments.
In the Jurassic World franchise, the Mosasaurus serves as a
reminder that dinosaurs were just one part of the prehistoric world.
(21:11):
The Mesozoic era saw an incredible diversity of life forms,
many with no modern equivalents. By bringing creatures like Mosasaurus
to the screen alongside more familiar dinosaurs, the films provide
a more complete, if Hollywood enhanced picture of Earth's past.
(21:32):
There's also something humbling about the existence of creatures like Mosasaurus.
For all our technological achievements and our position at the
top of the modern food chain, we humans would be
helpless prey in the ancient oceans where these reptiles reigned.
This realization induces a kind of temporal vertigo, a sudden
(21:54):
awareness of our small place in the vast expanse of
Earth's history. So the next time you wade into the ocean,
cast a thought to the creatures that once ruled those waters.
The seas of today, patrolled by sharks and orcas, are
tame compared to the Cretaceous oceans where Mosasaurus and its
(22:16):
kind hunted. We live in a world considerably less monstrous
than it once was, a world where the most formidable
marine predators exist only as fossils and in our imagination,
and perhaps that's something to be grateful for as we
enjoy the relative safety of our modern beaches. Thank you
(22:38):
for joining us on this deep dive into the world
of Mosasaurus. Until next time, keep exploring the fascinating world
of monsters, sharks, and dinosaurs that continue to capture our
hearts and minds. Monsters, Sharks and Dinosaurs is a production
(22:59):
of Calorhoneygurt Shark Media Executive producers Mark Francis and John McDermott.
Portions of this podcast may have been created with the
assistance of Ai
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