Dunkleosteus was a massive, prehistoric fish that lived during the Late Devonian period, around 358 to 382 million years ago. Reaching lengths of up to 10 meters (33 feet) and weighing as much as 4 metric tons, Dunkleosteus was one of the largest and most powerful predators of its time. It belonged to a group of armored fish known as placoderms and was characterized by its bony, armored head and powerful jaws equipped with sharp, blade-like plates instead of teeth. These jaws could exert an incredible bite force, capable of slicing through almost anything in its path, including other armored fish. Fossils of Dunkleosteus have been found in North America, Europe, and Morocco, providing significant insights into the evolution of early vertebrate predators.