A Basilosaurus is the most likely to win a sea monster battle based on size and speed. The Basilosaurus was about three times the size of a Liopleurodon, which was about the same size as a Great White Shark. But the Liopleurodon could escape by swimming underwater and holding its breath for miles.
Table of Contents
Battle Facts about Liopleurodon vs. Basilosaurus
| Name | Liopleurodon (Liopleurodon ferox) | Basilosaurus (Basilosaurus cetoides) |
| Size | 16-23 feet long, 2,200-3,700 pounds | 56-66 feet long, 56,000+ pounds |
| Speed | 20-25 mph | 35-40 mph |
| Offense | Bite force of 7,700 pounds, maneuverability | Bite force of 3,600 pounds, speed |
| Defense | Great sense of smell, could swim in deep water | Swam with flexibility like an eel |
| Endurance and Behavior | Could stay underwater for miles but had to breathe air | Thought to swim closer to the surface and probably couldn’t dive deep |
Liopleurodon and Basilosaurus were both the apex predators of their time. The Liopleurodon had a bite force twice as strong as the Basilosaurus, but the Basilosaurus was faster and much bigger! Considering the Basilosaurus ate the similarly sized Dorudon with ease, the Basilosaurus would probably win. But don’t give up on the Liopleurodon just yet!
What kind of Sea Monsters were Liopleurodon and Basilosaurus?
The Liopleurodon was a marine reptile like the Mosasaurus, the Ichthyosaur, and the Kronosaurus. The Basilosaurus was a marine mammal similar to modern whales. Both Lio and Basilo were apex predators that preyed on other sea life.
The Liopleurodon was a marine reptile that fell into the subfamily Pliosaur. Pliosaurs were short-necked Plesiosaurs with four flippers, a paddle tail, and crocodile-like heads. Mosasaurs were a later type of marine reptile with a more shark-like tail.
When the Basilosaurus was first discovered in the 1830s, paleontologists thought it was a type of Mosasaurus. Since Mosa was already well-known to scientists, this new fossil was named Basilosaurus, meaning “King Lizard.” It wasn’t until later that paleontologists realized the Basilosaurus was a Cetacean whale like the Orca and the terrifying Livyatan.
Did Liopleurodon and Basilosaurus live together?
Liopleurodon and Basilosaurus didn’t live during the same period. The Liopleurodon lived during the Jurassic period, about 155 million years ago. The Basilosaurus lived after the end of the Cretaceous period, about 41-33 million years ago.
The Basilosaurus lived in a period called the late Eocene. This period ended before Megalodon and Livyatan appeared around 20 million years ago. The Basilosaurus was one of the earlier marine mammals and lived in shallower waters filled with lush fields of seagrasses.
Where were Liopleurodon and Basilosaurus Discovered?
The Liopleurodon was mainly found in France, Germany, and England. The Basilosaurus resurfaced in North America, parts of Africa, and the Middle East. Basilosaurus fossils have also been found in England.
Several dino fossils have been found in the same areas as Basilosaurus, even though they were extinct long before Basilosaurus first appeared. These include many of our favorite dinos like:
The giant prehistoric octopus called Tusoteuthis and the ancient fish Dunkleosteus were also found in North America and Africa.
Was Liopleurodon Stronger than Basilosaurus?
Liopleurodon’s bite force was about twice as strong as Basilosaurus. If the Liopleurodon could surprise the Basilosaurus and bite the bigger sea monster first, Lio could win the battle. But mammals are also much smarter than marine reptiles, so Lio would have difficulty fooling the Basilosaurus. Since the Basilosaurus was shaped more like an eel, it was very flexible and fast.
What Would Happen if Liopleurodon and Basilosaurus Fought?
The Basilosaurus would win most fights against the Liopleurodon. Basilo was three times as large and almost twice as fast. Plus, it had a large mouth like many whales and could easily eat sea life the size of Lio.
On the other hand, the Liopleurodon had plenty of adaptations that would help it escape. It could swim in deep waters, which Basilo could not do. Lio could also hold its breath for long periods, which is another thing Basilo couldn’t do.
Lio could survive if it could escape Basilosaurus’s jaws. By using its deep diving abilities and holding its breath, Lio could swim far away before it had to surface for air. But the Basilosaurus was a smart mammal, so Lio wouldn’t have many chances to escape.