Animals carry jaws that can crush dinosaurs

Didelphodon vorax is the largest marsupial in the Cretaceous with strong jaws that can crush prey, including dinosaurs.

Scientists have identified Didelphodon vorax as the most powerful of the mammals that ever appeared on Earth, Earth Chronicles of Life on Dec. 13.

Four Didelphodon vorax fossils have been found in the United States.(Photo: Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture).

The four fossils of Didelphodon vorax were recently found in Montana and North Dakota, USA, including a nearly intact skull and two upper jaws. The research team fossilized tomography and simulated the skull on a computer.

The analysis shows that this is the largest marsupial species in the Cretaceous period (100.5-66 million years ago) with a weight of about 2.4-5.4kg. Its fangs have the same power as today's fangs and hyenas. This proves that Didelphodon vorax can kill and chew prey with its jaws.

According to experts, Didelphodon is omnivorous. Its food includes snails and small dinosaurs.

"Didelphodon can be a terrifying predator in the late Cretaceous period, even for dinosaurs," said Gregory P. Wilson, author of the study.