Figure 6. Xiphactinus Fossil

Complete fossil skeleton of a large (5 m) Xiphactinus audax from the Ector Chalk Formation in northeast Texas. This species is found in many Cretaceous deposits in Alabama. The large, forward-angled teeth in the premaxillary (upper front) mouth area were apparently used for stabbing other fish. The fossilized remains of this fish's last meal can be seen inside its ribcage.
Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution