strangest prehistoric creatures to rule the earth

Strangest Prehistoric Creatures To Rule The Earth

Strangest Prehistoric Creatures To Rule The Earth
21. Sharovipteryx
With the ability to glide similar to deltawinged (triangleshaped) aircraft, Sharovipteryx was a master of longdistance travel. Found in Kazakhstan, this onefootlong (30 cm) prehistoric creature had membranes attached above and below its hind legs which provided for gliding (but not flight).
22. Epidexipteryx
In contrast to most of the massive prehistoric creatures on this list, Epidexipteryx was a tiny prehistoric creature. Presumably the first example of ornamental feathers (think of a peacock), Epidexipteryx grew up to 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) with almost half of that encompassing just the tail feathers. This feathered dinosaur lived during the Middle or Upper Jurassic age throughout Inner Mongolia.
23. Quetzalcoatlus
A legendary creature possibly referred to as the serpent god in Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatlus was as tall as a giraffe while roaming on its feet. Once it took to the sky, its wingspan was from 3040 feet (1012 m) thats as long as most buildings in Paris are high. A lizardlike creature, Quetzalcoatlus may also have been what our ancestors referred to as dragons.
24. Stethacanthus
Sporting an upper dorsal fin which looked like the top part of the Starship Enterprise, an adult male Stethacanthus lived about 320 million years ago. A pretty typical shark otherwise, Stethacanthus likely used its unique dorsal fin in mating rituals or to scare away predators.
25. Spinosaurus
The TRex pales in comparison to the massive but lesserknown Spinosaurus. Reaching up to 59 feet (18 m) long, this prehistoric beast could weigh more than a semitruck and the webbed spines on its back could have easily reached the height of a basketball player. Spinosauruss alligatorlike mouth likely means it was a major fish eater and spent much time in the water. Makes us wonder whether those back spines could have been used for swimming.
26. Acrophyseter
This was an ancient relative of todays sperm whale, which as we all know (or should know) is huge, eats lots of squid and has never been known to attack humans without provocation. Acrophyseter was the complete opposite; it was moderately sized, and didnt feed on squid but rather on other marine mammals and even on sharks! Its horriblelooking teeth were deadly weapons and have given Acrophyseter and its ancient relatives the nickname of killer sperm whales. Acrophyseters fossil remains have been found in Peru; it lived in the Miocene period, which seems to have been the best epoch for scary marine monsters including giant dolphins, colossal sharks and even monster penguins and seals.
27. Gigantopithecus
Its name says it all; it was a monstrous ape, closely related to the orangutan, that roamed the bamboo forests, jungles and mountains of China, India and Vietnam during the Pleistocene. It was a vegetarian, but scary nonetheless; it could grow up to three meters tall and weigh up to 550 kgs! Its strength must have been extraordinary and probably kept it safe from most predators. It finally went extinct 300.000 years ago, possibly due to overhunting by early human species or as the result of climate change. Of course, all yeti and bigfoot believers like to think that Gigantopithecus survived somehow in the most remote parts of the Himalaya
28. Epicyon
Epicyon could well be described as a giant pitbull on steroids. It was a member of the Canidae or dog family, but whereas modern day canids are built for speed and endurance, Epicyon was built for brute strength, and had jaws so powerful that they could crush bone as if they were crackers! This beast ruled the plains of North America for fifteen million years, before it was replaced by big cats (including sabertooths).
29. Madtsoia
Madtsoia would be the worst nightmare of anyone with a phobia of snakes. Although only fragmentary remains are known, it is claimed to have reached the immense length of 1520 meters! This creature appeared in the Cretaceous period and possibly dined on dinosaurs. It was similar to todays boas and pythons in that it was not venomous, but rather squeezed its victims to death using its immense muscular strength. Madtsoia was such a successful predator, that it managed to survive the extinction that wiped out dinosaurs and other animals, but it finally went extinct about 45 million years ago. Other giant snakes are known to have existed, including one that was said to reach 29 meters in length
30. Purussaurus
Purussaurus was a gigantic caiman (a relative to alligators) that lived in what is today known as the Amazonian rainforest. Back in Purussaurus days, 8 million years ago, that region was actually a vast inland sea teaming with crocodiles, gharials, fresh water whales, giant rodents and enormous turtles. Purussaurus was the top predator in that sea, and with good reason; at 1215 meters long, maybe more, it was one of the largest crocodilians ever to have existed. The remains of other animals missing limbs or bitten in half are a macabre proof of this giant caimans appetite.