'Shell Crusher' Shark Swam Cretaceous Kansas

[n2doc]

With 1,000 teeth in its jaw, the 88.7 million-year-old shark could pulverize its prey.

By Jennifer Viegas | Tue Feb 23, 2010 07:00 AM

Paleontologists have just identified the remains of a gigantic, 88.7-million-year-old shark nicknamed the "shell crusher." The Cretaceous species could pulverize large, shelled animals with its 1,000 teeth, suggests a new study.

A handful of other fossils for the shark, Ptychodus mortoni, had been previously found and hinted that the species was extremely big. The new discoveries support that contention and reveal the shark likely grew to at least 33 feet in length and chomped on its prey with its 3-foot-long jaw.

Its specialized teeth were just as impressive as its body size.

"Unlike 'conventional sharks,' Ptychodus mortoni possessed pavement-like upper and lower dental plates consisting of juxtaposed rows of massive teeth suited for crushing," lead author Kenshu Shimada, a research associate in paleontology at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, told Discovery News.

more

http://news.discovery.com/animals/prehistoric-shark-kansas.html

ironic location....

[WillParkinson]

1. Lies!

It was only a few thousand years ago and it swam with men in the ocean.

I sense a new wing opening up for the bible museum.

[denbot]

2. They were probably munching on Ammonoids.

Some ammonites were 6' across, something had to evolve to eat them..

[damyank913]

3. I tink I had an ammonoid once...

it made it hard to sit down...

[Orsino]

4. The answer to the question, "What's the matter with Kansas?"...

...must now begin with, "Well, there were sharks there with a thousand teeth each."