Dunkleosteus terrelli evolved one of the most impressively useful jaws in geologic history. In addition to a clamping power of 5,000 Newtons (1,100lbs-force), this prehistoric fish could open its mouth in 1/50 of a second! That kind of speed creates a vacuum that can suck nearby prey right down the hatch. Image Credit: Anderson, P.S.L. and Westneat, M.W. (2006)

Dunkleosteus terrelli evolved one of the most impressively useful jaws in geologic history. In addition to a clamping power of 5,000 Newtons (1,100lbs-force), this prehistoric fish could open its mouth in 1/50 of a second! That kind of speed creates a vacuum that can suck nearby prey right down the hatch.

Image Credit: Anderson, P.S.L. and Westneat, M.W. (2006)

  1. 1st November 2011
  2. Notes: 112
    3. #bones #dunkleosteus #paleontology #skull #Devonian #Placodermi
blog comments powered by Disqus
  1. alchemystress reblogged this from scientificillustration
  2. yesterdayisthetodayoftomorrow reblogged this from scientificillustration
  3. sapienstia reblogged this from scientificillustration
  4. aspacelobster reblogged this from scientificillustration and added:
    “Nuchal Gap” would be a good second album.
  5. f1ypaper reblogged this from scientificillustration
  6. henhoncho reblogged this from tiredpterois
  7. tiredpterois reblogged this from mackennzie
  8. karooon reblogged this from scientificillustration and added:
    The only mammal I remember from the Devonian era./ period
  9. knsculpt reblogged this from sk1dward
  10. gokarn reblogged this from scientificillustration
  11. manilaryce reblogged this from scientificillustration
  12. bennumonkey reblogged this from fireskink
  13. brandneway reblogged this from scientificillustration
  14. mackennzie reblogged this from scientificillustration
  15. villianousstrawberry reblogged this from poupon and added:
    I just love crazy looking fish. :)
  16. mrs-cioni-bones reblogged this from scientificillustration
  17. marktswimmer reblogged this from scientificillustration
  18. senoritafish reblogged this from scientificillustration and added:
    They also grew up to 33’ long and could weigh up to 4 short tons.
  19. heartsnbruises reblogged this from aintasuperhero and added:
    it’s german name is “PANZERFISCHEN.” badass.