mosasaur

Any of various extinct carnivorous marine reptiles of the family Mosasauridae of the Cretaceous Period, having an elongated body, powerful jaws, and paddlelike limbs. Some species reached lengths of over 15 meters (50 feet).

A general name for the large, extinct marine reptiles of the family Mosasauridæ, including the well-known genera Mosasaurus, Tylosaurus, Clidastes, etc. They had long, pointed heads, rather long bodies, a compressed tail, and limbs modified into short, flattened paddles. They abounded in the Cretaceous period and their remains are particularly abundant in the chalk of Kansas.

One of an extinct order of reptiles, including Mosasaurus and allied genera. See mosasauria.

An large extinct marine reptile, in the family Mosasauridae; the ancestor of modern snakes.