Top 10 extinct sea animals That Once Ruled the Ocean

 top 10 extinct sea animals

Throughout history, the Earth's oceans have been home to a diverse array of fascinating and awe-inspiring creatures, some of which have gone extinct over time.

The extinction of these sea creatures has been caused by various factors, including climate change, overfishing, and human interference.

top 10 extinct sea animals

Despite their extinction, the legacy of these animals continues to inspire and intrigue us to this day. In this essay, we will explore the top 10 extinct sea animals, their characteristics, and what led to their eventual extinction. 

From the giant Megalodon to the spiral-jawed Helicoprion, these creatures provide a fascinating glimpse into the ancient and diverse world that once existed beneath the waves.

Here are ten extinct sea animals:

1. Megalodon - an ancient species of shark that lived around 2.6 million years ago.
2. Mosasaurus - a giant marine reptile that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 70-66 million years ago.
3. Dunkleosteus - a prehistoric fish that lived during the Late Devonian period, around 380-360 million years ago.
4. Liopleurodon - a large marine reptile that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, around 160 million years ago.
5. Steller's sea cow - a large marine mammal that lived in the Bering Sea until the 18th century, when it was hunted to extinction by humans.
6. Ichthyosaurus - a dolphin-like reptile that lived during the Early Jurassic period, around 200 million years ago.
7. Helicoprion - a prehistoric shark that lived during the Permian and Triassic periods, around 290-250 million years ago.
8. Plesiosaurus - a marine reptile that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, around 205-66 million years ago.
9. Archaeocyathids - an extinct group of filter-feeding animals that lived during the Cambrian period, around 542-488 million years ago.
10. Xiphactinus - a large predatory fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 100-66 million years ago.

Certainly! Here are some additional details about each of the extinct sea animals I mentioned:

Megalodon - Megalodon was a giant shark that lived between 2.6 million and 23 million years ago. It is believed to have been one of the largest predators to have ever existed, with some estimates suggesting it could have grown up to 60 feet long.

Mosasaurus - Mosasaurus was a massive, aquatic reptile that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a carnivorous predator that could grow up to 50 feet long and had a long, powerful tail that it used to propel itself through the water.

top 10 extinct sea animals

Dunkleosteus - Dunkleosteus was a heavily armored, prehistoric fish that lived during the Late Devonian period. It had a massive, sharp jaw that could deliver a powerful bite, and it is believed to have been one of the top predators in the ocean at the time.

Liopleurodon - Liopleurodon was a giant, carnivorous marine reptile that lived during the Middle Jurassic period. It had four flippers, a long neck, and a massive, powerful jaw that it used to catch and eat its prey.

Steller's sea cow - Steller's sea cow was a large, herbivorous marine mammal that lived in the Bering Sea until the 18th century. It could grow up to 30 feet long and weigh up to 10 tons. Unfortunately, it was hunted to extinction by humans for its meat and skin.

Ichthyosaurus - Ichthyosaurus was a dolphin-like reptile that lived during the Early Jurassic period. It had a streamlined body and a long, pointed snout that it used to catch fish and other small prey.

Helicoprion - Helicoprion was a bizarre-looking prehistoric shark that lived during the Permian and Triassic periods. It had a spiral-shaped jaw that was lined with sharp teeth, which it used to catch and eat its prey.

Plesiosaurus - Plesiosaurus was a marine reptile that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. It had a long neck, a streamlined body, and four flippers that it used to swim through the water. It is believed to have been a fast and agile predator.

Archaeocyathids - Archaeocyathids were an ancient group of filter-feeding animals that lived during the Cambrian period. They were small, cup-shaped creatures that lived in colonies and filtered tiny particles of food from the water.

Xiphactinus - Xiphactinus was a large, predatory fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It could grow up to 20 feet long and had a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth that it used to catch and eat smaller fish.

extinct marine animals due to pollution

Pollution has had a devastating impact on the world's oceans, and many marine animals have gone extinct as a result. The release of harmful chemicals, plastics, and other pollutants into the ocean has caused significant damage to marine ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.

Plastic pollution, in particular, has had a profound impact on marine life, with many animals ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic waste. One of the most well-known examples of an extinct marine animal due to pollution is the Chinese River Dolphin, also known as the Baiji.

top 10 extinct sea animals

This species of freshwater dolphin was once abundant in the Yangtze River in China but went extinct in the early 2000s due to pollution and habitat destruction. Similarly, the Hawaiian monk seal is also at risk of extinction due to pollution, with many seals ingesting plastic debris and suffering from entanglement injuries.

The extinction of these and other water animals serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater environmental protection measures to preserve the health and diversity of our oceans.

ancient extinct marine animals

The Earth's oceans have been home to a diverse array of ancient and fascinating creatures that have long since gone extinct.

These animals lived during different periods of Earth's history, and their fossils have provided valuable insights into the evolution of marine life over millions of years.

One example of an ancient extinct marine animal is the trilobite, a group of arthropods that lived during the Paleozoic era, some 540 million years ago. Another example is the ammonite, a cephalopod that lived during the Mesozoic era and is known for its distinctive spiral shell.

top 10 extinct sea animals

The placoderm fish is another example of an ancient marine animal that lived during the Devonian period, some 400 million years ago, and was one of the earliest jawed fish to evolve.

The diversity and complexity of these ancient marine animals provide a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary history of life on Earth and underscore the importance of preserving and studying our planet's rich geological past.

Here is a list of 20 ancient extinct marine animals:

• Trilobites - An extinct group of arthropods that lived during the Paleozoic era.
• Ammonites - An extinct group of cephalopods that lived during the Mesozoic era.
• Dunkleosteus - A heavily armored prehistoric fish that lived during the Late Devonian period.
• Megalodon - An extinct species of shark that lived between 2.6 million and 23 million years ago.
• Plesiosaurs - A group of marine reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic era.
• Mosasaurs - A group of aquatic reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period.
• Ichthyosaurs - A group of dolphin-like reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic era.
• Helicoprion - A prehistoric shark with a spiral-shaped jaw that lived during the Permian and Triassic periods.
• Stethacanthus - A prehistoric shark with an unusual dorsal fin that lived during the Carboniferous period.
• Anomalocaris - An extinct genus of arthropod that lived during the Cambrian period.
• Eurypterids - A group of ancient arthropods that lived from the Ordovician to the Permian periods.
• Nautiloids - An extinct group of cephalopods that lived from the Cambrian to the Cretaceous periods.
• Placoderm fish - An extinct group of fish that lived during the Devonian period.
• Thylacocephala - An extinct group of arthropods that lived during the Mesozoic era.
• Ophthalmosaurus - A genus of ichthyosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period.
• Belemnites - An extinct group of cephalopods that lived from the Triassic to the Cretaceous periods.
• Graptolites - An extinct group of colonial animals that lived from the Cambrian to the Carboniferous periods.
• Orthoceras - An extinct genus of cephalopods that lived during the Ordovician period.
• Xiphactinus - An extinct species of predatory fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period.
• Heteromorph ammonites - An extinct group of ammonites with non-spiral shells that lived during the Mesozoic era.

biggest extinct animals in the ocean

The ocean has been home to some of the largest and most impressive creatures to ever exist on Earth, many of which have gone extinct. Here are some of the biggest extinct animals that once roamed the ocean depths:

• Shastasaurus - A marine reptile that lived during the Triassic period and could grow up to 66 feet (20 meters) long.
• Megalodon - An extinct species of sharks that lived between 2.6 million and 23 million years ago and could grow up to 60 feet (18 meters) long.
• Leedsichthys - An extinct giant fish that lived during the Jurassic period and could grow up to 50 feet (15 meters) long.
• Basilosaurus - An extinct genus of whales that lived during the Eocene epoch and could grow up to 60 feet (18 meters) long.
• Livyatan - An extinct genus of sperm whale that lived during the Miocene epoch and could grow up to 57 feet (17 meters) long.
• Elasmosaurus - A marine reptile that lived during the Late Cretaceous period and could grow up to 46 feet (14 meters) long.
• Tylosaurus - An extinct genus of mosasaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period and could grow up to 43 feet (13 meters) long.
• Sarcosuchus - An extinct species of crocodile that lived during the Early Cretaceous period and could grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) long.
• Xiphactinus - An extinct species of predatory fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period and could grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) long.
• Archelon - An extinct genus of sea turtles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period and could grow up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) long.

These animals were truly giants of the ocean and their size and power undoubtedly made them impressive and awe-inspiring creatures to behold.

top 10 extinct sea animals

sea animals that are going extinct

There are unfortunately many sea animals that are currently endangered or at risk of extinction due to various factors such as overfishing, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction.

Here are some examples:

Vaquita: The vaquita is a small porpoise found in the Gulf of California, Mexico. It is considered the most endangered marine mammal in the world, with only around 10 individuals remaining in the wild.

Leatherback sea turtle: Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles in the world and are found in oceans around the globe. They are currently listed as critically endangered due to threats from bycatch in fishing gear, egg harvesting, and plastic pollution.

Bluefin tuna: Bluefin tuna is a popular fish for sushi and is heavily targeted by fishing fleets around the world. Overfishing has led to a decline in population and it is now considered critically endangered.

Hammerhead shark: Hammerhead sharks are distinctive for their wide, flattened heads and are found in warm waters worldwide. They are threatened by overfishing for their fins, as well as bycatch and habitat destruction.

Coral reefs: Coral reefs are not a single species, but rather are made up of many different types of corals and other marine life. They are incredibly important ecosystems but are threatened by ocean acidification, pollution, and warming waters due to climate change.

These are just a few examples of the many sea animals that are facing extinction. We must take action to protect these species and their habitats before it's too late.

Here is a list of 15 sea animals that are at risk of extinction:

1. Vaquita (porpoise)
2. Leatherback sea turtle
3. Blue whale
4. Hawksbill sea turtle
5. Giant clam
6. Sawfish
7. Dugong (sea cow)
8. Whale shark
9. Staghorn coral
10. Atlantic salmon
11. North Atlantic right whale
12. Black sea bass
13. Atlantic bluefin tuna
14. Hammerhead shark
15. Pacific salmon

This list is not exhaustive, as many more sea animals are facing threats to their survival. We must take steps to protect these species and their habitats to prevent further declines in their populations.