Artist Jacob Biewer's rendition of what the spike-toothed salmon might have looked like, coutesy of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
Giant spike-toothed salmon used to swim the coastal waters of the Pacific.
You’ve probably never heard of this giant salmon before. That’s okay. We hadn’t either.
Researchers from California State University are studying fossils of the prehistoric giant salmon. According to the researchers, this spike-toothed fish would have measured as long as nine feet and could have weighed as much as 400 pounds.
Teeth from the giant fish could have measured over an inch in length. Like modern Pacific salmon, these giant ancestors were most likely filter-feeders that typically did not use their teeth to catch prey. Instead, the large teeth were probably for fighting off competitors and protecting fertilized eggs.
Fossils of these teeth were found in both freshwater and saltwater environments. This suggests that these fish would’ve likely swam up streams and rivers along the pacific coast during breeding season, likely making a nice party platter for hungry clans of prehistoric bears.
How cool is that?!
We love reeling in salmon. Who doesn’t? Bet this sucker would’ve put up a real fight.
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