Dive into the waters of the Science Centre for an aquatic journey filled with massive marine creatures. Monsters of the Sea, its latest temporary exhibition, is a huge animatronics showcase of 16 life-sized prehistoric and modern day species. Here, we highlight the best ones.
ElasmosaurusPhoto: Science Centre Singapore
Elasmosaurus
Period of existence: Late Cretaceous (83 to 72 million years ago)
This one’s like a sea version of Brachiosaurus, the long-necked dinosaur. Its name means ‘ribbon lizard’, and unlike its plant-eating land counterpart, the Elasmosaurus was a piscivore – fish was its main course.
MegalodonPhoto: Science Centre Singapore
Megalodon
Period of existence: Miocene to Pliocene (15 to 2.6 million years ago)
The monster shark needs no introduction, thanks to Discovery Channel’s controversial Shark Week and all sorts of heated debates on its existence (current or not). The creature’s name means ‘big tooth’, stemming from its huge teeth that could grow up to 18 centimetres – used for feeding on sea turtles and mid-sized whales.
MosasaurusPhoto: Science Centre Singapore
Mosasaurus
Period of existence: Late Cretaceous (72 to 66 million years ago)
Any Jurassic World fans in the house? You might recognise Mosasaurus as the park’s saviour – the one who leaped out of the water and chomped down on a certain rogue dinosaur. The ferocious-looking creature usually grew up to 15 or 18 metres in length, with a diet consisting mostly of marine reptiles, sharks, birds and land dinosaurs.
PliosaurusPhoto: Science Centre Singapore
Pliosaurus
Period of existence: Late Jurassic (157 to 145 million years ago)
Don’t underestimate this sea reptile’s short neck and enormous head. Built with a need for speed, the massive Pliosaurus – its skull was about two metres long – had paddle-shaped limbs to slice through shallow waters and attack its long-necked cousins, the fish-eating Plesiosaurus.
PurussaurusPhoto: Science Centre Singapore
Purussaurus
Period of existence: Miocene (13 to eight million years ago)
You’d be forgiven for mistaking Purussaurus for a gargantuan crocodile – the scaly heffer could weigh up to a whopping 8,400 kilograms, and it was known for possessing the strongest jaw bite among its fellow four-footed animals.
Monsters of the Sea is at the Science Centre, Annexe Hall from Oct 30 to Feb 28.