Hindustan Times
Photo Credits: Pixabay
8-foot sea scorpions, bigger than humans, ruled the oceans 444 million years ago
About 400 million years ago, giant sea scorpions lived in the oceans. Some were 8 feet long, and others were as big as humans.
Photo Credits: Unsplash
The huge creatures were called eurypterids, or sea scorpions. They were part of an old group of sea-dwelling arthropods, which means they were distant relatives of crabs, lobsters, and spiders.
Photo Credits: Unsplash
Scientists learned about these creatures and their extinction by examining their fossils found in Australia.
Photo Credits: Freepik
Dr. Bicknell and colleagues identified these creatures in their report published in the journal Gondwana Research on Saturday, according to The Sun.
Photo Credits: Pixabay
Eurypterids were found in various sizes, with some growing to over nine feet long.
Photo Credits: Underground Reptiles
Eurypterids had huge claws beefy exoskeleton and a strong set of legs for swimming.
Photo Credits: Pixabay
Researchers note that the fossils made from exoskeletons or external skeleton belonged to the genus Pterygotus, and Jaekelopterus.
Photo Credits: Pixabay
The fossil remains were found scattered across ancient Gondwana, which includes what is now Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, the Indian subcontinent, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Photo Credits: Kapama Private Game Reserve
This spread of fossils shows that sea scorpions could swim for thousands of kilometres.
Photo Credits: Kapama Private Game Reserve
The team of researchers analysed the rock formations in South Wales, where these fossils were found.
Photo Credits: Project Naoh
Their analysis suggested that these sea creatures lived in that area.
Photo Credits: Project Naoh
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