Kronosaurus

Name:

Kronosaurus (Greek for "Kronos lizard"); pronounced crow-no-SORE-us

Habitat:

Oceans

Historical Period:

Middle Cretaceous (110 million years ago)

Size and Weight:

About 33 feet long and 7 tons

Diet:

Fish, mollusks, and other marine reptiles

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Enormous head with short neck; numerous sharp teeth

About Kronosaurus:

Kronosaurus is a classic example of a pliosaur, a marine reptile with a thick head, short neck and stocky body. The pliosaur body plan stands in stark contrast to that of plesiosaurs (such as Elasmosaurus), which had relatively graceful trunks, long necks and small heads.

It's believed that Kronosaurus made its living much like a modern shark, simply eating anything that got in its way. With its nearly 10-foot-long head and sharp, 10-inch-long teeth, this pliosaur clearly didn't content itself with just fish and squids, but feasted occasionally on other aquatic reptiles.

By the way, the "Kronos" in this beast's name comes from the ancient Greek god, who ate his own children to jealously guard his power.