Mosasaurs first appeared in the fossil record approximately 90 to 100 MYA. This extinct ancient marine reptile was distantly related to the Komodo dragon, a varanid lizard. It is believed these large Cretaceous marine predators evolved from small semi-terrestrial lizards called aigialosaurs.
Plioplatecarpus lived in the Western Interior Pierre Seaway. Their powerful tail was swept side to side, in an undulating motion, swimming through the water in a manner demonstrated today by crocodiles. They had large highly kinetic skulls that would have enabled them to eat large prey including ammonites like Placenticeras as well as fish and other reptiles. Contemporaries of this mososaur include Elasmosaurus, Archelon, Toxochelys, Pteranodon, and the bird Hesperornis. These animals were most likely ambush predators using the element of surprise and rapid acceleration to collect their prey.
Our Plioplatecarpus replica can be mounted in any number of poses... swimming, diving, or porpoising (jumping out of the water). It can be hung from cables or supported from the floor. It is modular, with easy-to-assemble sections.