Artwork: Dmitry Bogdanov
Okay, so here’s yet another reason I need that time machine jet sled: So I can go back to the late Miocene epoch, (about 20 plus million years ago) and fish for oncorhynchus rastrosus, otherwise known as the “Sabertooth Salmon.”
This big boy was up to 10 feet long and weighed 300 to 400 pounds. As if that weren’t bad ass enough, ol’ rastrosus rocked some huge 4-inch fangs that extended down from the top of his jaw (bust out the wire leaders and titanium Kwikfish!).
Apparently the Sabertooth Salmon was anadramous, as fossilized remains have been found in central Oregon and in coastal rivers in California. Oddly enough, scientists think that this monster may have actually been a plankton feeder when at sea, suggesting that it was a relative to modern day chum or sockeye. Plankton feeder or not, I’m thinking Kevlar waders may have been in order back in the day!
Here’s what wacky and wonderful wildlife artist Ray Troll thinks it might have looked like (notice the “chummy” resemblance)…
www.trollart.com
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmm. big ancestor to El dorado of So. American rivers?
El dorado or the golden one really looks like a salmon too..
Yea, I can definitely see the resemblance there…but the sabertooth was of the genus oncorhynchus — the same as all Pacific salmon, while the golden dorado of South America is of the genus (get this!) salminus, to which, oddly enough, no salmon — Pacific or Atlantic belong. Confused yet? I know I am!
I wish. It would make crossing tailouts a little hairy.
Rudy
I can’t wait to read your next blog about the ancient Trout, called Troutzilla !!!
Seriously, let’s hope future generations don’t read about our Salmon like they were dinosaurs.
Well said!