Cretoxyrhina mantelli
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Extinct (fossil)
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| Cretoxyrhina mantelli |
Cretoxyrhina mantelli, the "Jaws of the Cretaceous", was a shark that lived in the Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago. C. mantelli grew up to 5.5 meters long, and is known from several nearly complete skeletal fossils. Its name means "Mantell's chalk-sharp-nose".
The teeth of C. mantelli were 5 cm long, curved, and smooth-edged, with a thick enamel coating. C. mantelli would have been a top predator of the Cretaceous seas. C. mantelli teeth have been found in the skeletal remains of Tylosaurs proving that these predators had run ins, fights, and meals throughout their lives.
C. mantelli became extinct 90 million years ago in the shallow sea that was the midwest. Majority of the remains have been found in Kansas.
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