Perot Museum Unveils 43-Foot Tylosaurus rex Found in Texas
Updated
Updated · WFAA.com · May 21
Perot Museum Unveils 43-Foot Tylosaurus rex Found in Texas
6 articles · Updated · WFAA.com · May 21
Researchers at Dallas' Perot Museum identified Tylosaurus rex as a new mosasaur species that ruled the sea covering Texas nearly 80 million years ago.
Fossils indicate the apex predator reached about 43 feet, carried serrated teeth and powerful jaws, and showed violent combat behavior not seen in other tylosaurs.
North Texas produced many of the key specimens, including the holotype found near Lake Ray Hubbard, with several contributing fossils discovered only in the past 15 to 20 years.
The holotype is now on exclusive display at the Perot Museum, underscoring how recent fossil finds are still reshaping scientists' view of prehistoric Texas.
How did a 43-foot 'sea T. rex' stay hidden in museum collections for over 40 years?
What do brutal battle scars on this ancient sea king reveal about life in Texas's prehistoric ocean?