Mosasaurs used high-speed ambush attacks to hunt

New research published in the journal Current Biology suggests that certain giant mosasaurs utilized specialized hunting techniques involving sudden bursts of speed. By reconstructing the anatomy of four different mosasaur species from fossil remains and applying physics principles, researchers led by Kiersten Formoso of Rutgers University identified distinct predatory behaviors within the family tree.

One branch of mosasaurs, including the massive Tylosaurus, appears to have relied on a “slam-start” movement. This technique involved curling the tail to one side and then sweeping it forcefully to push against the water, similar to a swimmer launching off a pool wall. This maneuver allowed a large Tylosaurus to reach speeds of approximately 15 miles per hour in a single, brief burst to ambush unsuspecting prey.

Other relatives of these marine reptiles were better suited for cruising through open oceans. The study highlights how differences in tail proportions allowed different species to occupy various ecological niches in ancient seas during the Cretaceous period.