Page 228 - Atlas of Creation Volume 4

Tarpon

Period: Cretaceous
Age: 110 million years

Region: Santana Formation, Brazil

Tarpons are large fish covered in thick, silvery scales that can grow to five to eight feet long.
Their upward curving lower jaw makes it easy to distinguish them. They swim very well, by
means of their shuttle-shaped body and powerful tail. The tarpon is most commonly found
in the warm waters of the American Atlantic coast. It sometimes comes to the western shores

of West Africa. The Atlantic tarpon (Tarpon atlanticus) can reach 2.5 meters (eight feet) in
length and a weight of 130 kg (287 pounds).
The tarpon reproduces in open waters and can lay up to 12 million eggs, but the young mig-

rate to the shore and live in muddy shallows and river mouths. Adults may also approach
shallow shores to hunt small fish and even enter rivers. Tarpons are popular with amateur
fishermen because they are very strong, put up a fierce resistance after being hooked and can
jump several meters into the air. Just as with other species, this fossil tarpon proves that the-
se living things have never changed and never underwent evolution.

226 Atlas of Creation Vol. 4