Xiphactinus audax

Meaning of name: Latin and Greek for Bold sword ray
Length: 15-20 feet
Location: Found from Kansas to as far east as Alabama and Georgia, the genus is also known from Europe, Australia, Canada, and Venezuela
Time period: Late Cretaceous-82,000,000 years ago
Diet: Known to swallow large prey whole
Family: Ichthyodectid osteoglossomorphs, related to arapaima
Environment: Shallow seas

Xiphactinus are the largest relatives of arapaima with 3-inch long teeth. They are known to be gluttonous like modern pike, taking its victims by surprise and swallowing large prey headfirst, sometimes, even dying from struggling prey, probably rupturing an organ, they are even known to attack mosasaurs. But the mosasaurs and sharks also have their share of Xiphactinus meat. The drawing is based on 's Ichthyodectes skeletal. The design is from National Geographic's "Sea Monsters."