Retrosaur Challenge 17: Apex Predator

    The mystery of what preyed on Squamacanthus was solved with the discovery of Arenapistrix vorax (“ravenous sand shark”) a transitional tyrant from the same area and time period. This creature shared many physical similarities with its close relatives the long tailed sea tyrants including front limbs modified into large flippers, nostrils moved farther back in the skull and reduced hind limbs but rather than swimming through water it burrowed through sand, waiting in ambush for prey to pass by. Due to its large size, strong jaws and ability to ambush prey from beneath it could eat any creature in its environment including the spiny armored Squamacanthus. Given the lack of food in its desert environment and its relatively inactive lifestyle as sit and wait ambush predator Arenapistrix likely had a slow metabolism gorging itself every few months.

    I figured everyone else would be doing a true tyrant for this entry so I decided to do something different and since I've always loved the idea of giant fantasy predators living hidden underneath the sand I decided a transitional tyrant would be the best choice. Link to challenge: tyrantisterror.tumblr.com/post…