Dunkleosteus

Dunkleosteus was a massive, armored fish that lived during the Late Devonian period, around 358 to 382 million years ago. It was one of the largest and most fearsome predators of its time, reaching lengths of up to 10 meters (33 feet) and weighing around 4 metric tons. Instead of teeth, Dunkleosteus had large, blade-like bony plates in its jaws, which allowed it to slice through prey with immense bite force. Its head and thorax were covered in thick, bony armor, making it well-protected in the marine environment. Dunkleosteus belonged to a group of fish called placoderms, which were among the earliest vertebrates with jaws. Fossils of Dunkleosteus have been found in North America, Europe, and Morocco, providing valuable insights into the evolution of early marine predators.