Xiphactinus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Xiphactinus Temporal range: Cretaceous
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Pachycormiformes
Family:	Ichthyodectidae
Genus:	Xiphactinus
Species:	X. audax
Binomial name
Xiphactinus audax Leidy, 1870

Xiphactinus was a huge, fast-swimming fish that lived a very long time ago. Its name means "sword-ray" in Latin and Greek. This amazing fish was about 4.5 to 5 meters (15 to 20 feet) long! That's like a small bus! It was a fierce hunter in the ancient seas.

Xiphactinus lived during the Late Cretaceous period. This was a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Xiphactinus swam in a large ocean called the Western Interior Seaway. This ancient sea covered what is now the middle of North America.

Scientists have found Xiphactinus bones in many places. These include Kansas, Alabama, and Georgia in the United States. Fossils have also been found in Europe and Australia.

A Powerful Ancient Predator

Xiphactinus was an incredible swimmer. It could move very fast through the water. This helped it to chase down other fish. It also helped it escape from bigger dangers.

Life in the Ancient Ocean

This giant fish was a top predator. It ate many other sea creatures. Scientists think it might have even jumped out of the water sometimes. This could have helped it shake off tiny creatures called parasites from its skin.

Even though it was big and fast, Xiphactinus was not always safe. If it got hurt, its large size made it easy to spot. Then, it could become a meal for other powerful ocean hunters. These included large sharks, giant marine reptiles called Mosasaurs, and even other Xiphactinus!

Images for kids

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  Xiphactinus swimming in the ancient sea.

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  A smaller fish, Gillicus arcuatus, found inside a Xiphactinus audax fossil. This famous fossil shows what Xiphactinus ate.

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  A size comparison of Xiphactinus with other fish from its family, the ichthyodectids.

See also

In Spanish: Xiphactinus para niños