Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
314 / Mesozoic
Tusoteuthis
Tusoteuthis longa
A huge internal shell identifies a large coleoidean, though total length remains uncertain.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 85–75 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Western Interior Seaway · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Tusoteuthis?
Tusoteuthis (Tusoteuthis longa) was an extinct organism known from About 85–75 million years ago, with a range in Western Interior Seaway · North America.
Life and ecology
Tusoteuthis had a streamlined soft body, fins and arms for hunting fish.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Tusoteuthis disappear?
Its record ends about 75 million years ago. Late Cretaceous marine turnover is possible context, not an established cause.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Tusoteuthis?
Gladii, beaks and rare soft traces constrain its form, but dimensions remain estimates.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Removed an extinction cause that credited a mass extinction occurring after this species' last dated record.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS