Prehistoric 'Sea Monster' May Be Largest That Ever Lived

National Geographic ^ | April 9, 2019 | John Pickrell

[C19fan]

The ancient remains of a gigantic marine reptile have been found in southwestern England. Known as an ichthyosaur, the animal lived about 205 million years ago and was up to 85 feet long—almost as big as a blue whale, say the authors of a study describing the fossil published today in PLOS ONE.

Biology textbook have long touted the modern blue whale as the largest animal that ever lived, but this and other fascinating fossil finds hint that there may once have been even bigger creatures swimming Earth’s seas.

[C19fan]

Mary Anning is smiling from above.

[LukeL]

I bet he wants about tree fiddy.

[C210N]

and was up to 85 feet long...

Not nearly the size of London in WW-II.

London, which is so vast and strong that she is like a prehistoric monster into whose armoured hide showers of arrows can be shot in vain.

Churchill.

[Beowulf9]

Great quote.

[C210N]

Had to qualify by timeframe the reference to London, which is much smaller (in stature) today, with banning knives.

[Red Badger]

[subterfuge]

So the”sea monster” isn’t as big as a blue whale. Wow. Fascinating.

[miliantnutcase]

I’d need a pretty damn big boat to feel safe from either him or megalodon...

[null and void]

[null and void]

Reminds me of what the guy trying to purchase footwear for Sasquatch said: “You’re going to need a bigger boot!”

[COBOL2Java]

Late-Cretaceous Kansas (or what would become Kansas, in the then Western Interior Seaway) had its share of sea monsters, such as the 40 – 46 ft. Tylosaurus.

[DCBryan1]

Oldie but goodie:

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks C19fan.

[Pelham]

He was looking for Loch Ness