Just imagine a time when sharks were so huge they could gulp down a great white in one bite, crocodiles stretched as long as buses, and dragonflies created shadows as big as hawks.
Well, this isn’t just a wild story from a sci-fi film; it was the real deal millions of years ago. So, let’s explore the amazing world of prehistoric monsters, a period when nature was incredibly wild and amazing, filled with creatures that would leave you in awe.
1. Sharks
Sharks are amazing creatures that glide through the water like stealthy hunters. However, they can’t hold a candle to the Megalodon, a giant shark that lived long ago.
This enormous beast could grow to more than 60 feet in length and was the ultimate predator of its time. With a bite so powerful it could crush a car, so, it was a real sea giant. Thankfully, it’s extinct now; I can’t imagine swimming alongside one of those!
2. Crocodiles
Crocodiles are some of the oldest reptiles that hang out in the water, and they are really good hunters. However, the biggest crocs we see today are tiny compared to their ancient relative, Deinosuchus.
This giant reptile lived during the Cretaceous period and could grow as long as a school bus! It’s easy to see why even dinosaurs were scared of this huge creature.
3. Elephants
Woolly mammoths are famous Ice Age animals known for their thick fur and huge tusks. However, there were even larger prehistoric elephants!
Palaeoloxodon, a type of extinct elephant, was bigger than any elephant we have today. These gentle giants walked the Earth until around 11,000 years ago.
While it’s sad that we can’t see these amazing creatures alive, at least we have their fossils we can still learn about.
4. Bears
Bears are strong hunters, but they can’t compare to their ancient cousin, the cave bear. These enormous animals roamed the Earth during the Ice Age and were about the size of a modern-day car!
With their thick coats of fur and strong jaws, cave bears were perfectly suited for the tough Ice Age environment.
5. Millipedes
Millipedes might seem like friendly little bugs, but their ancient relative, Arthropleura, was really something else.
This enormous millipede roamed the Earth during the Carboniferous period and grew to more than 8 feet in length, weighing as much as 100 pounds!
It’s pretty wild to think about a creature that resembles a giant worm being so fearsome, but Arthropleura was definitely a giant among its peers.
6. Dragonflies
Dragonflies today are beautiful insects with detailed wings. However, their ancient relative, Meganeura, was a scary hunter.
This giant insect had a wingspan of more than 2 feet, making it one of the biggest insects ever to roam the Earth. It’s amazing to think that such a huge insect lived in the past, right?
7. Sloths
Sloths are famous for being super slow and taking their time. However, their ancient cousins were a bit different. The ground sloths were actually huge and not slow at all!
These gigantic animals could weigh as much as 4 tons, making them the biggest land mammals back in the day. They mostly ate plants, but their enormous size and power meant they were tough animals to deal with.
8. Rhinos
Rhinos are strong creatures with sharp horns, but their ancient cousin, the woolly rhino, was even more amazing. This furry giant roamed the Earth during the Ice Age and was bigger than any rhino we have now.
Its thick fur kept it warm in the freezing temperatures that existed between 5 million and 11,000 years ago. Another big difference was their size. They could grow over 12 feet long and weigh around 6,400 pounds, making them taller than today’s rhinos.
9. Birds
Today, birds might look cute and harmless, but their ancient relatives were really scary. For example, the terror birds roamed South America millions of years ago and were the top predators of their time, reaching heights of up to 10 feet!
With strong legs and sharp beaks, these birds were definitely not to be messed with.
10. Snakes
Snakes are really interesting animals. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from tiny ones just a few inches long to huge ones that can grow over 20 feet. They can eat anything that fits in their mouths!
But, their prehistoric relative from a long time ago called Titanoboa was gigantic. This enormous snake lived around 60 million years ago and measured more than 40 feet long, weighing over a ton! It’s pretty hard to picture a snake that enormous!