The Giant Marine Reptile
Shastasaurus was an enormous marine reptile that lived during the Triassic period, approximately 210 to 215 million years ago.
| Meaning | Mount Shasta lizard [Shasta-saurus] |
| Pronunciation | SHAS-tah-sore-us |
| When: | Late Triassic (about 210 million years ago) |
| Where: | North America (USA, California) |
| What: | Ichthyosaur (marine reptile) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 25–75 metric tons |
| Length: | Approximately 20 meters (65 feet) |
| Diet: | Piscivorous (ate fish and cephalopods) |
| Discovered: | First described by John C. Merriam in 1895 |
It belonged to a group of marine reptiles called ichthyosaurs, known for their fish-like appearance and streamlined bodies.
Shastasaurus is considered one of the largest marine reptiles ever discovered, reaching lengths of up to 21 meters (69 feet).
Named after the Shasta region in California, where its fossils were first found, Shastasaurus had a long, slender body and a narrow, elongated snout filled with sharp teeth.
It likely hunted squid and fish in the ancient seas, using its streamlined body and powerful tail to propel itself through the water with remarkable speed and agility.