What type of prey did the Cretaceous marine bird *Hesperornis* specialize in catching in the shallow seas?
Answer
Fish and soft-bodied cephalopods
*Hesperornis* was a notable avian species during the Cretaceous Period, adapted specifically for a marine existence where it utilized its hind feet primarily for paddling. Its dentition, though small, was specialized for securing slippery sustenance found in the warm, shallow seas it inhabited. The primary food sources targeted by *Hesperornis* were aquatic life forms, specifically mentioning fish and soft-bodied cephalopods, similar to how massive marine reptiles of the era like plesiosaurs hunted.
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