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Mosasaurs

[part of jaw of Mosasurus hoffmanni]

Hoffmann's mosasaur as without doubt the largest carnivore and the terror of all ammonites: an enormous animal over 10 metres in length, with a formidable mouth full of sharp teeth. The upper jaw had a supplementary battery of teeth, with two extra rows in its palate.

[hinge] An extra hinge in the lower jaw enabled Mosasaurus hoffmanni to swallow struggling prey by means of ‘sawing’ movements.
[Ammonite with toothprint of Mosasaur]

Currently six species of mosasaurs are known from the Maastricht Chalks.

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