It's time Twilight and her friends, to leave this. The 6th most dangerous sea behind.
Next lies the Jurassic.
To reach it, they have to travel forward from 230 to 155 million years ago.
The Jurassic is right in the middle of Dinosaur time. And it's home to some of the most colossal animals ever to live on land. Outweighed only by the monsters that live in the water.
2nd
Most Dangerous Sea Ever
Name: The Jurassic
When: 155 Million Years Ago.
Hazards: Liopleurodon
Twilight and her friends have recently arrive at their new destination, the Jurassic. And it is a Golden Age for reptiles. And this is a land of monstrous creatures. On the land, there are giant dinosaurs. And here in the water.
As they swam through the warm waters, they came across a shoal of giant fish. They were so big, that they dwarf even some today's whales.
It's a shoal of Leedsichthys, and they are the biggest fish that have ever lived.
As big as those fish are, there are predators nearly as large that attack. And that's what their here for, to see some of the most massive marine reptiles that have ever lived.
And soon, the group of 8 were swimming alongside of the giant fish. And they easily dwarf today's Humpback Whales, and possibly rival in size the Blue Whale.
Even though there a bit concern, but luckily these giants are fed by the tiniest creatures that live in the sea. They'll filter out any tiny plankton, any small animals floating in the ocean.
Leedsichthys are among the first giant filter feeders ever to appear. And they move through the watch like a giant Ocean Glider, and once they disappear into Extinction. It will be over a hundred million years, before filter feeding baleen whales arrive on the scene. As well as Whale Sharks.
At this time of year, though they're living on their fat reserves. And that really sorts out, the healthy fish from the sick ones. And close by, there's one that can't quite keep up with the shoal. It's just at the edge, and already is attracting some of the smaller predators in these Jurassic seas.
And behind the slow moving Leedsichthys, appeared a shark with 2 small horns over it's eyes. But then, a crocodile unlike any other the group have ever seen before has arrive.
It was a kind of marine crocodile called, Metriorhynchus.
It's totally adapted for life in the sea. great paddle like feet, nothing like modern crocs. And the tail has no armor plating, it became a paddle. This creature, has sacrifice defense for speed.
The Metriorhynchus then swims overhead of Twilight and her friends and got a bit too close. And Twilight quickly shots a small beam enough to drive him off.
And then, swimming from below them was the bizarre shark called Hybodus. And then the shark charges towards the slow Leedsichthys, and then he took a bite out of his right fin.
The team of 8 felt for the giant fish, as the Metriorhynchus came in and took a bite at the fish's small dorsal fin. Both the shark and the crocodile were eating him alive.
But they have not even seen a glimpse of the massive reptile that rules these waters.
But they wouldn't have long to wait.
Sometime later, they were on a large boat. They're following the injured Leedsichthys with a device that uses sonar. And before, a much bigger predator will appear.
A few minutes later, something appeared on the radar.
hey Twilight, what is that? Spike asked.
Twilight went over and had a look.
Not sure. She said.
All that Twilight can make out was something with 4 flippers and short compact neck. And it's making a beeline towards the giant fish. Whatever it was, it's nearly as big.
Within a few seconds, Twilight was able to make a screen appeared. And then the others arrived, and they saw the Leedsichthys hanging downwards, and next to it was a colossal marine reptile black with white patches on it's skin, it was Liopleurodon. And has large jaws and a skull. They Leedsichthys is not moving a fin, it's sad to say that it's dead. And soon the large pliosaur swims off into the murk.
As much as Rainbow would love to dive in the water with them. She's gonna need some protection, but Twilight has came up with a idea.
A smell suit.
Liopleurodon have a acute sense of smell, special nostrils that work in the water. And perfect for a ambush predator.
Twilight's theory is to use a bottle of noxious chemical into the suit. And if the Liopleurodon get too close, if things get a little hairy. Twilight has added a valve, once turned it will release a explosion of chemicals into the water. Twilight used a similar chemical of that from sharks. Pinkie asked what she used, and Twilight said she doesn't want to know.
Luckily it was field tested with younger Liopleurodon in shallow water. A dummy was used, and place squid in the suit to get the Liopleurodon to come.
In experiment 1, they tried a chemical deterrent that keeps sharks away. And tested it out with these reptiles, but it didn't work. And Rainbow would most likely had her head bitten off or torn in 2 if they went with that.
In experiment 2, they tried the new idea that Twilight choose. And it actually worked.
But the big question is...
Will it work on a 80 foot long adult sea monster.
It was now night, and Rainbow was getting ready for the dive. She already ready has a smell suit on, and Twilight is joining her as extra set of eyes. Because a 2nd Liopleurodon might appear to the Leedsichthys carcass. And luckily some light were getting ready.
And before long, the 2 ponies jump into the water. And knowing, that this is a bad idea.
Before long, they managed to find the fish carcass. And a Liopleurodon is feeding on it, and as predicted a 2nd Liopleurodon has arrive.
As one swims, Twilight and Rainbow got a cracking view of it's teeth. They are so distinctive, that rosette of really sharp teeth are like knife blades. And they are digging themselves into the fish carcass, slicing through the flesh of that Leedsichthys. And that short neck helps them to be more powerful of twisting off chucks of flesh.
The 2 colossal sea monster were so busy feeding on the carcass, they don't seem to notice the 2 ponies hovering them. And Rainbow can take a calculated risk, she's got the smell suit on. So she is gonna move in, as close as she dares.
Rainbow moves in a bit closer, and now she was just 20 feet from a feeding frenzy. And some really ferocious sea reptiles, but she is petrified watching this.
Then Rainbow saw one of them coming towards her so close. She quickly turns the valve as the chemicals spilled out, and the Liopleurodon swims away from her. Rainbow was so relieved that Twilight's plan has work.
But now was it was time to get out of here.
And the 2 swam to the surface to rejoin the the others. Both shaken, but glad to be still alive.
And after telling the near death encounter, the 8 were pulled into the portal and taking to their next destination.
But that was the 2nd most dangerous sea.
Which means, they have yet to enter...
Hell's Aquarium.
Next Time.
They'll travel 3 million years to the land that will become Colorado.
And will meet the largest animals, to have ever walk the planet.
Author's Fun Fact:
Liopleurodon doesn't really come even close to 80 feet, which I know. Or any pliosaur, the closest of any species was a 50 foot specimen.
And Leehsichthys can get to a length of 40 to 50. 55 or 60 feet might be the maximum they can reach.
But they truly are the first giant filter feeders before whales and whale sharks appeared.