Extinct ancestors of modern animals were terrifyingly large (10 Photos)
Deinosuchus was related to the alligator and lived 80 to 73 million years ago. It grew up to 35 ft long and was capable of preying upon large dinosaurs. Its teeth were adapted for crushing and its bite force has been estimated at 4,000 lbs which is stronger than a Tyrannosaurus.
Paraceratherium was a hornless rhinoceros and the largest land mammal that has ever lived. It went extinct 23 million years ago. Weighing up to 44,000 lbs and 16 ft tall at the shoulder, Paraceratherium dwarfed Aftican elephants which are the modern day largest land mammal.
Archelon was a giant marine turtle that lived roughly 80 million years ago. It grew up to 13 ft long and 16 ft wide. These turtles weighed nearly 5,000 lbs and had lives that lasted over a hundred years.
Titanoboa rose to prominence right after the dinosaurs went extinct about 60 million years ago. It was a monstrous snake that grew up to 42 feet long and weighed 2,500 lbs. It snacked on crocodiles and turtles.
Gigantopithecus existed as recently as 100 thousand years ago and was the largest ape to have ever lived. It was 10 ft tall and weighed nearly 1,200 lbs. Its closest living relative is the orangutan which is considerably smaller. All Gigantopithecus remains have been found in Asia which rules out the possibility that it is Big Foot.
Megalania were the giant ancestors of Komodo Dragons. They went extinct about 30,000 years ago which means the first aboriginal settlers may have encountered them. It grew up to 23 ft long and weighed over 1,000 lbs. It is the largest lizard known to have ever existed.
Megalodon is the ancestor of the great white shark and is one of the biggest and most power predators to have ever lived. At 60 ft long, we are very lucky that Megalodon went extinct about 2.6 million years ago.
Terror Birds were large carnivorous flightless birds that served as apex predators in South America until about 2.5 million years ago. Growing up to 10 ft tall, Terror Birds would rip the flesh off their victims with their giant beaks.
Wooly Rhinoceros were common in throughout Europe and Asia until the end of the last ice age. Populations may have survived in Siberia until about 8,000 BC. The Wooly Rhinoceros’ body length was comparable to modern White Rhinos but they were much stockier and
weighed up to 7,000 lbs. Additionally, their front horns could grow up to 2 feet long.
Megatherium was an elephant sized sloth that weighed nearly 9,000 lbs and was 20 ft long. Like the Wooly Rhino, they were still around until about 8,000 BC. Unlike the sloths of today, Megatherium lived on the ground.
Giant Prehistoric Ancestors of Modern Day Animals