The Top 10 Most Dangerous Extinct Animals

When we think of dangerous animals, we usually think of the ones alive today. But long ago, there were some really scary creatures that lived on Earth. Here are ten of the most dangerous extinct animals that once roamed our planet.

1. Megalodon The Megalodon was a huge shark that lived about 23 to 3.6 million years ago. It was as long as a school bus and had teeth that were 7 inches long! This giant shark could eat whales and other big sea animals, making it the ultimate ocean predator.
2. Tyrannosaurus Rex The Tyrannosaurus Rex, or T. Rex, is one of the most famous dinosaurs. It lived around 68 to 66 million years ago and was very big and powerful. It stood about 20 feet tall and could run fast. With its sharp teeth, it was a top predator in its time.
3. Mammoth Mammoths were huge animals that looked like giant elephants with long, curved tusks. They lived during the Ice Age and could weigh up to 12 tons! Even though they mostly ate plants, their size and strength made them dangerous if they were provoked.
4. Saber-Toothed Cat The Saber-Toothed Cat lived between 2.5 million and 10,000 years ago. It had long, curved teeth like sabers and was a skilled hunter. This cat could take down large animals like bison and young mammoths, making it a fierce predator.
5. Dunkleosteus The Dunkleosteus was a giant fish that lived about 358 to 382 million years ago. It was one of the largest fish ever, growing up to 33 feet long. Instead of teeth, it had sharp, bony plates in its mouth that could crush shells of other sea creatures.
6. Giganotosaurus The Giganotosaurus was a huge dinosaur that lived around 98 million years ago. It was even bigger than the T. Rex and could grow up to 43 feet long. With its strong jaws and big size, it was one of the most dangerous predators of its time.
7. Therizinosaurus The Therizinosaurus had giant claws that could grow up to 3 feet long. It lived a long time ago and had these huge claws to help it pull leaves off trees. Even though it mostly ate plants, its big claws made it look pretty scary.
8. Andrewsarchus The Andrewsarchus was a large predator that lived about 45 million years ago. It was about 13 feet long and had a powerful jaw that could crush bones. This big, strong animal was one of the top hunters of its time.
9. Megaloceros The Megaloceros, also known as the “Giant Deer,” lived about 200,000 to 7,700 years ago. Its antlers could stretch up to 12 feet wide! While it mostly ate plants, its huge antlers were used to defend itself against predators.
10. Dodo The Dodo was a big, flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius. It may not seem dangerous, but it became extinct because it couldn’t escape from predators, including humans. Its inability to fly made it easy prey, which is why it disappeared.

These extinct animals show us how diverse and sometimes scary life on Earth once was. Although they are no longer around, their fossils help scientists learn more about the past.