KU Connection - November 2007

Sea Monsters!

Most people have heard plenty about the dinosaurs that ruled the land 100 million years ago. But few know about the enormous reptiles, toothy fish and sharks that dominated the inland sea that covered what now is Kansas.

At KU and across the nation, these fierce undersea creatures are receiving renewed attention, thanks to a National Geographic Society film with ties to KU and Kansas.

“Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” weaves together a marine fossil mystery with breathtaking animated sequences that bring Kansas' ancient sea animals to life. The 3-D film premiered Oct. 5 at IMAX, REAL-D and other specialty theaters in Kansas City, Mo., and nationwide.

Larry Martin, professor and curator of vertebrate paleontology at the KU Natural History Museum, consulted with filmmakers on aspects of the animation.

“Kansas is the ideal place to base a film about the discoveries of ancient marine animals,” Martin said. “The state has one of the richest fossil records from the Cretaceous era, which spanned from about 140 million to 65 million years ago.”

The KU Natural History Museum contains a treasure trove of example specimens of animals shown in the new film, including the Styxosaurus, the toothy-mouthed Xiphactinus, and a Tylosaurus discovered by a KU researcher in 1911. A cast of that specimen—one of the largest ever found—lurks over the lobby of the museum, recently enhanced by new exhibit materials.

Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber narrated the film; Richard Evans, David Rhodes and Peter Gabriel composed an original score. For more information about the motion picture, tickets, show times and educational activities, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/seamonsters.