Mosasaurs

Mosasaurs are lizards that evolved and adapted to life in the oceans during the final phase of the age of dinosaurs, the Late Cretaceous. Later forms evolved flippers and streamlined bodies, optimized for life at sea. The earliest mosasaur is known from near the village of ‘Ein Yabrud in the West Bank. It is dated at 98 million years old.The oldest mosasaurs retain complete limbs including clawed fingers and toes and were able to navigate on land as well as the in the water. These early forms evolved against a backdrop of global warm temperatures and rising sea levels. The most highly evolved forms, those that developed fin-like limbs, are known from rocks between about 90 and about 65 million years old. They became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, a fate shared with the land-dwelling dinosaurs.During their evolutionary history, mosasaurs evolved and diversified to occupy various ecological niches, feeding styles and different ways of life. Some of those changes are preserved in the fossils of these magnificent animals and give us clues about the genetic relationships and evolution of the Mosasaurs.Historically, mosasaurs were classified into three subfamilies. These highly evolved forms, possessed fin-like limbs, and were theorized to have evolved from the primitive limbed forms. They were extremly teratorial.

media type="youtube" key="3D4AA_l6c3w" width="425" height="350"