What was the approximate measured length of the Livyatan melvillei holotype skull?
Answer
3 meters (9.8 feet)
The foundational basis for size estimation rests upon the skull recovered from the holotype specimen. This massive head structure, which is noted to be disproportionately large even compared to modern sperm whales, measured approximately 3 meters, translating to 9.8 feet in length. This skull is significant not only for its size but because it housed the spermaceti organ. Furthermore, its structure, specifically the deep and wide supracranial basin, provides clues regarding the animal’s immense acoustic power or its capacity for powerful physical impact during predation.
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