| The first publicized discovery of a Mosasaur fossil | | | | Africa, off the coast of Antarctica, and in Australia |
| took place in 1778. The fossil of an animal was found | | | | and New Zealand (in particular many so-called |
| in a limestone quarry near Maastricht in what is today | | | | "dinosaur fossils" from New Zealand, are actually |
| the Netherlands. However, the fossil was not name | | | | Mosasaur fossils). As a result of these finds, and |
| or scientifically discovered until some years later. | | | | continuing scientific research, we have also learnt a |
| When a name was eventually given to the fossil, the | | | | lot more about Mosasaurs. |
| name "Mosasaur" was chosen, which means "Meuse | | | | Today we know that Mosasaurs were marine |
| reptile" or "Meuse lizard", after the nearby Meuse | | | | reptiles. They had powerful serpent-like bodies with |
| River. Moreover, during the 19th century, it was also | | | | greatly reduced limbs, and were carnivores eating |
| realized that a number of other fossils which had | | | | fish, shellfish, sea urchin, and turtles. Although they |
| been previously found in the same area, were from | | | | lived during the middle and late Cretaceous period |
| the same animal. | | | | (when the last of the dinosaurs were also around), |
| Since the 19th century, many more Mosasaur fossils | | | | Mosasaurs were not dinosaurs, but were lepidosaurs |
| have been found around the world. These include | | | | (scaled reptiles) - scientists today generally believe |
| finds in other European countries such as Denmark | | | | that Mosasaurs are probably related to monitor lizards |
| and Sweden, in North America (in both the United | | | | and/or snakes. |
| States and Canada), in South America (Peru), in | | | | |