10 Terrifying Prehistoric Animals That Weren't Dinosaurs

By John Kuroski | Edited By Savannah Cox

Published February 19, 2015

Updated November 7, 2023

Scary Prehistoric Animals: Thalattoarchon

Image Source: HNA

Thalattoarchon is the new kid on the block, having only been discovered a few years ago and first officially classified in just 2013.

It was an ichthyosaur, another group of marine reptiles commonly and incorrectly believed to be dinosaurs. Thalattoarchon were 28-foot-long apex predators whose massive jaws allowed them to hunt prey almost as big as they were.

With this beast only being discovered five years ago, it begs the question: What other unimaginable prehistoric creatures’ remains now sit beneath the ground and the sea, waiting to be discovered?

Enjoyed this fascinating look at some of the ancient world’s most terrifying prehistoric animals? Then be sure to check out our other articles on frighteningly bizarre ocean creatures and some of the world’s deadliest animals, as well as this collection of amazing facts. And before you go, don’t forget to like All That’s Interesting on Facebook!

author

John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.

editor

Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.

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Kuroski, John. "10 Terrifying Prehistoric Animals — That Weren’t Dinosaurs." AllThatsInteresting.com, February 19, 2015, https://allthatsinteresting.com/terrifying-prehistoric-creatures. Accessed May 17, 2024.