Onchopristis Cretaceous (Dinosaur)Tooth Fossil extinct onchopristis Cretaceous - 2”

Onchopristis was a fascinating, extinct groups of giant sawskate, related to modern rays.

Key Characteristics

 * Massive, Saw-like Rostrum: Its most defining feature was its incredibly long, flattened snout, called a rostrum, which could reach over 6 feet long.

 * Barbed Denticles: This rostrum was lined with unique, hooked, and barbed tooth-like structures (denticles), perfect for snagging prey.

 * Size: Onchopristis was huge, estimated to be up to 26-30 feet long.

Habitat and Lifestyle

 * Prehistoric Predator: Living in the Upper Cretaceous period, it was a bottom-dwelling predator in brackish and saltwater environments, found in places like North Africa.

 * Hunting Technique: It likely used its saw-like snout to probe and rake for hidden prey like shellfish and smaller fish.

 * Dinosaur Food Source: Interestingly, it's believed to have been a significant food source for large predatory dinosaurs like Spinosaurus in its habitat.

Onchopristis was truly a unique and formidable fish of the ancient world!

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