Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus: Who Would Win in a Fight?

Written by August Croft
Published: May 26, 2022
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When it comes to an imaginary fight between the liopleurodon vs mosasaurus, which one of these underwater beasts reigns supreme? Will the mosasaurus win just because of its significant size difference over the liopleurodon, or will the liopleurodon beat the mosasaurus based on its highly developed senses? 

In this article, we will compare and contrast both the mosasaurus and the liopleurodon so that you can get a full understanding of how these two dinosaurs behaved in the wild. We will address their offensive and defensive capabilities as well as their speed and size in order to determine a winner. Let’s get started and imagine a fight between these two dinosaurs now! 

Comparing Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus
The mosasaurus grew much larger than the liopleurodon, in both length and weight.
LiopleurodonMosasaurus
Size16-23 feet long; 1-2 tons35-55 feet long; 20-25 tons
Speed10-20 mph20-30 mph
OffensePowerful bite, with teeth that are relatively smooth and sharp. Fantastic maneuverability in the water with speed and agility, and their compact body gives them even more ambush possibilitiesLarge and powerful jaw full of 40-60 teeth; bite force of up to 16,000 psi and quick bursts of speed make it a fantastic ambush predator. Can change direction easily in the water
DefenseHighly developed sense of smell, capable of finding both prey and enemies at great distances underwaterTough skin and high intelligence allows for many advanced maneuvers and defenses
Endurance and BehaviorHunted for miles using its strong sense of smell, though needed to breathe airNeed to breathe air, but capable of traveling great distances quickly

Key Differences Between Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus

The liopleurodon has a highly developed sense of smell that the mosasaurus does not have.

©Michael Rosskothen/Shutterstock.com

There are a number of key differences leading to a victor in the fights between a liopleurodon and a mosasaurus. For example, the mosasaurus grew much larger than the liopleurodon, in both length and weight. Additionally, the liopleurodon has a lower swimming speed compared to the mosasaurus. Finally, the liopleurodon has a highly developed sense of smell that the mosasaurus does not have. 

Let’s address all of these differences in more detail now, as it is unclear who the winner might be at this point in time! 

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus: Size

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus
The liopleurodon only weighed 1 to 2 tons in total, while the mosasaurus weighed an average of 20 to 25 tons.

When it comes down to size differences in a fight between a liopleurodon and a mosasaurus, there is truly no competition between these two dinosaurs. The mosasaurus is much larger than the liopleurodon, in both length and weight. But just how much larger was this dinosaur compared to the liopleurodon? Let’s take a closer look at the figures now. 

Based on our limited fossil records, the mosasaurus frequently reached lengths of 35 to 55 feet long, while the liopleurodon only grew to an estimated 16 to 23 feet long. Additionally, the liopleurodon only weighed 1 to 2 tons in total, while the mosasaurus weighed an average of 20 to 25 tons. 

If this was a fight based on size alone, the mosasaurus would win against the liopleurodon, hands down. 

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus: Speed

liopleurodon vs mosasaurus

The mosasaurus could swim faster than the liopleurodon overall, and this likely leads to a mosasaurus victory against the average liopleurodon.

©Catmando/Shutterstock.com

Both the liopleurodon and the mosasaurus were fantastic swimmers, capable of maneuvering in the water at high speeds and for long distances. However, the mosasaurus could swim faster than the liopleurodon overall, and this likely leads to a mosasaurus victory against the average liopleurodon. Given the fact that the mosasaurus can swim an average of 10 mph faster than the liopleurodon, it does not feel as if this is a fair fight. 

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus: Offensive Powers

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus

It would be a difficult battle in terms of the defensive abilities of both the liopleurodon and the mosasaurus, likely resulting in a tie. 

©Dotted Yeti/Shutterstock.com

In terms of offensive powers, the mosasaurus and the liopleurodon are closely matched. Both of these dinosaurs have extremely powerful jaws and rows and rows of sharp teeth, though the bite force of the mosasaurus is more powerful than the bite force of the liopleurodon. However, the liopleurodon is smaller and just as agile as the mosasaurus, if not more. 

If the mosasaurus ambushes the liopleurodon, as is in its nature, it will likely win in an offensive battle, and make short work of it. 

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus: Defensive Powers

There is one defensive capability that the liopleurodon has that the mosasaurus does not share. For example, the liopleurodon has a highly developed sense of smell, which allows it to sense enemies or prey from miles away. This would likely include the mosasaurus, and the liopleurodon’s sense of smell would allow it to avoid a fight before one even happened. 

However, the mosasaurus was regarded as an extremely intelligent dinosaur, capable of ambush hunting and defensive tactics. It would be a difficult battle in terms of the defensive abilities of both the liopleurodon and the mosasaurus, likely resulting in a tie. 

liopleurodon vs mosasaurus

While the mosasaurus can swim faster than the liopleurodon, it is likely that the liopleurodon had more endurance in comparison.

©SciePro/Shutterstock.com

Liopleurodon vs Mosasaurus: Endurance and Behavior

The final category to discuss in a battle between the liopleurodon and the mosasaurus has to be their endurance and fighting tactics or behaviors. We have already discussed how the mosasaurus is an ambush predator, but the same could also be said for the liopleurodon. Let’s talk about their respective endurances now. 

While the mosasaurus can swim faster than the liopleurodon, it is likely that the liopleurodon had more endurance in comparison. Given the liopleurodon’s highly developed sense of smell, it likely hunted for miles underwater, capable of traveling great distances, something that may or may not be true for the mosasaurus as well. 

Since we have such limited information, there’s no clear answer for the endurances of either of these two dinosaurs. However, given the smaller size and hunting strategies of the liopleurodon, it is likely they would win in a battle of endurance. However, the overall winner of this battle is clear. 

The mosasaurus would win in a battle against the liopleurodon, given its large size and offensive capabilities.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Catmando/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

August Croft is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on astrology, symbolism, and gardening. August has been writing a variety of content for over 4 years and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater from Southern Oregon University, which they earned in 2014. They are currently working toward a professional certification in astrology and chart reading. A resident of Oregon, August enjoys playwriting, craft beer, and cooking seasonal recipes for their friends and high school sweetheart.

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