Squalicorax

Smaller than a Microraptor!

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Squalicorax Temporal range: Late Cretaceous PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Family:	†[[ Chondrichthyes]]
Genus:	†Squalicorax
Species:	†S. pristodontus
Type species
†Squalicorax pristodontus Agassiz, 1835
{{{subdivision_ranks}}}
S. pristodontus S. appendiculatus S. falcatus S. kaupi S. heterodon S. obliquus S. lindstromi S. curvatus S. bassanii S. baharijensis S. primaevus S. kugleri S. yangaensis S. dalinkevichiusi S. mississippiensis S. volgensis S. obruchevi S. sagisicus S. santonicus S. papulovi S. africanus S. primigenius S. coquandi S. priscoserratus S. bernardezi S. benguerirensis S. microserratus S. deckeri S. lalunaensis S. moodyi S. acutus S. bazzii S. mutabilis

Squalicorax is a Lamniform shark from late Cretaceous Europe, North Africa, and North America.  Its body was shaped like that of a great white shark but its teeth were similar to those of tiger sharks.

Squalicorax could reach a length of about 15 feet, or 5 meters long. It may have attacked Mosasaurs and pliosaurs (if not ate them). This shark may have also attacked and eaten sea turtle sized fish as well. With teeth like a tiger shark's, it may have been able to crush the shells of mollusks tiger sharks can to sea turtles. It may have competed with other late cretaceous sharks and fish such as Cretoxyrhina and Xiphactinus.

Squalicorax may have scavenged on or even hunted dinosaurs when the opportunity arised. Proof of this behavior is the fact that a tooth was found stuck in the foot bone of a Hadrosaurid dinosaur. It is more likely however, that it just scavenged on dead dinosaurs that fell in the water and drowned. Although it grew up to 5 meters long, it probably was overpowered by larger sharks and mosasaurs. However, that does not mean Squalicorax couldn't of picked a fight with them, but as of now, there is no evidence of this behavior.

Etymology

'Squalicorax' is made up from the words 'Squalus' which is Latin for 'Shark' and 'Korax' which is Greek for 'Crow', which translates the name to "Crow Shark"

In popular culture

• Squalicorax appeared on Dinosaur Train.
• Squalicorax identified as shark appeared on Sea Monsters: A Walking with Dinosaurs Trilogy.
• Squalicorax appeared on Sea Monsters A Prehistoric Adventure.
• Squalicorax appears as a Mod in Path of Titans which is made by Archetypes.

Gallery