Researchers at the University of British Columbia studied the remains of 15 species of marine reptiles that lived between 150 million and 66 million years ago. They found that most of them had injuries on their necks, indicating that their heads had been severed from their bodies.
How could this have happened? Researchers speculate that other predators, such as sea crocodiles or great sharks, might be the cause. They may have used their strength and teeth to separate the heads of the marine reptiles from their bodies.
But how could marine reptiles survive such a brutal hunt? Scientists speculate that they may have developed different strategies to protect themselves from predators. For example, some species may have had thicker skin or stronger bones, making them less vulnerable to attack. Others could swim quickly or have sharp teeth and claws to attack their enemies.
In addition, marine reptiles could live in groups, making them safer. For example, plesiosaurs, which were among the most common marine reptiles during the dinosaur period, could live in large herds. This not only provided them with protection from predators, but also helped them find food.
Despite all these defense strategies, marine reptiles were still vulnerable to attack by other predators. However, they continued to evolve and adapt to changing conditions in order to survive for millions of years.
