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Squid
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Millions of years ago, prehistoric sea creatures swam Earth's waters. This image gallery offers a glimpse at what these "sea monsters" may have looked like.
Pictured here: A prehistoric squid. Remains of these animals have been found near Australia, Germany, and in the Western Interior Seaway, a vast sea that once bisected North America.
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Bacculite
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Also called a straight ammonite, Bacculite is an ammonite mollusk with a straight, not spiraled, shell.
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Caproberyx
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Fossils of Caproberyx indicate they swam the waters of Europe and Africa during the Cretaceous period.
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Enchodus
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A row of swordlike fangs gives the Enchodus its nickname: saber-toothed herring.
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Gillicus
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The microscopic teeth of the Gillicus suggest it was a filter feeder that ate zooplankton, similar to today's baleen whales.
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Kronosaurus
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Four paddle-like flippers helped the Kronosaurus move underwater much like sea turtles.
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Nothosaur
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With its leathery skin, long tail, short legs, and needle-like teeth, the Nothosaur resembled a prehistoric crocodile.
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Protostega
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At more than ten feet (three meters) long, Protostega were among the largest turtles to ever live. Despite their size, they were excellent swimmers.
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Squalicorax
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Also called crow sharks for their habit of scavenging, Squalicorax had teeth resembling those of today's tiger sharks, suggesting that their diet was similar too.
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Styxosaurus
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Styxosaurus was a long-necked marine reptile that grew upwards of 40 feet (12 meters) long. About half of that length was neck.
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Temnodontosaurus
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With eyes 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) wide, Temnodontosaurus could see in near lightless conditions and probably dove for food.
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Bananogmius
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Bananogmius was equipped with flat jaws and palatine plates that helped it crush its favorite prey, clams and mollusks.
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