It's certainly no stretch to say that life would have been much scarier if the dinosaurs had stuck around,

but what if I told you the earth used to be populated by creatures that were even bigger, badder, and more ferocious?

From supersized serpents to deep-sea monsters and bizarre critters straight from your nightmares,

let's delve into some animals that were even scarier than dinosaurs.

You're listening. You're listening to be amazed.

Let's start our expedition with the Dunkliosteus. Some of the most terrifying creatures ever to have lived were water dwellers,

and Dunkliosteus is certainly no exception. This brutish fish lived during the late Devonian period,

which was around 370 to 360 million years ago, and is often referred to as the Age of Fish.

FYI, that's long before the dinosaurs walked the earth during a time known as the Mesozoic era

between around 245 and 66 million years ago, which scientists have divided into three periods,

the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous.

The 26 to 32 feet long, Dunkliosteus was streamlined and shark-like,

with an armor-plated head and a face only a mother could love.

The name means Dunkle's Bone, referencing the large bony plate that formed the jaws and head of the fish.

Based on its ferocious appearance, you might be surprised to learn that Dunkliosteus

actually lacked any proper teeth, but don't be fooled.

Instead, it had two long, bony blades that could snap and crush almost anything.

And I do mean anything because Dunkliosteus was definitely not a fussy eater.

It ate fish, sharks, and even its own kind.

Its fearsome fangs grew continuously and rubbed against each other as they did, acting like self-sharpening shears.

To give you an idea of just how powerful its jaws were, scientists have speculated that

they could generate up to 8,000 pounds of bite force per square inch. For some perspective,

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