What weight estimation, in kilograms, is suggested for the massive Xiphactinus?
Answer
Hovering around 150 kilograms
While precise weight calculations for extinct megafauna are always challenging due to the nature of fossil preservation, estimations place the mass of a fully grown Xiphactinus hovering around 150 kilograms. This weight, combined with its maximum length of approximately 15 feet, firmly establishes it among the largest known predatory bony fishes of the Late Cretaceous era. This considerable mass, supported by a bony skeleton and heavy armor, necessitated exceptionally powerful musculature, especially when considering the hydrodynamic challenges of propelling such a large, dense body rapidly through the water.
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