A prehistoric predator, Simbakubwa kutokaafrika, has been rediscovered in a museum drawer. Despite its name meaning big lion from Africa, this extinct mammalian predator was not a lion or a cat. However, it was massive, with a weight estimated between 617 pounds and 3,425 pounds. The only fossils di

FAQ

1. What is the prehistoric predator that was rediscovered in a museum drawer?

The prehistoric predator that was rediscovered in a museum drawer is a sea scorpion called Jaekelopterus rhenaniae.

2. How big is Jaekelopterus rhenaniae?

Jaekelopterus rhenaniae is the largest known arthropod to have ever lived, measuring up to 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in length.

3. When did Jaekelopterus rhenaniae live?

Jaekelopterus rhenaniae lived during the Silurian period, approximately 390 million years ago.

4. Where was Jaekelopterus rhenaniae discovered?

Jaekelopterus rhenaniae was first discovered in 2004 in a quarry near PrГјm, Germany.

5. Why was Jaekelopterus rhenaniae rediscovered in a museum drawer?

Jaekelopterus rhenaniae was rediscovered in a museum drawer because the initial discovery was not properly described and preserved.

6. How was Jaekelopterus rhenaniae rediscovered in a museum drawer?

Researchers from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom found a fossil of Jaekelopterus rhenaniae in a museum drawer at the Museum fГјr Naturkunde in Berlin, Germany.

7. Why is the rediscovery of Jaekelopterus rhenaniae significant?

The rediscovery of Jaekelopterus rhenaniae is significant because it sheds new light on the evolution of arthropods and the ecosystem of ancient oceans.

8. What is the significance of the size of Jaekelopterus rhenaniae?

The size of Jaekelopterus rhenaniae is significant because it suggests that ancient oceans may have supported larger and more diverse forms of life than previously thought.

9. How did Jaekelopterus rhenaniae hunt?

Jaekelopterus rhenaniae was a predator that likely hunted by ambushing its prey and using its large claws to capture and crush its victims.

10. What other prehistoric sea creatures lived during the Silurian period?

Other prehistoric sea creatures that lived during the Silurian period include trilobites, eurypterids, and various species of fish.

11. What is the current status of Jaekelopterus rhenaniae?

Jaekelopterus rhenaniae is an extinct species and only exists in the fossil record.

12. Where can I learn more about Jaekelopterus rhenaniae and other prehistoric creatures?

You can learn more about Jaekelopterus rhenaniae and other prehistoric creatures by visiting museums and reading books and scientific articles on the subject.