Plesiosaur

The Ancient Marine Predator

Plesiosaurs were a diverse group of marine reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era, from the Triassic to the Cretaceous periods, approximately 250 to 66 million years ago.

They were not dinosaurs but were closely related to them, belonging to a group called Sauropterygia.

Plesiosaurs were well-adapted to life in the oceans and ranged in size from a few meters to over 15 meters (50 feet) in length.

One of the distinctive features of plesiosaurs was their long necks and streamlined bodies, which made them efficient swimmers.

They had four paddle-like limbs, which they used to propel themselves through the water with graceful movements.

Plesiosaurs were carnivorous predators, feeding on fish, squid, and other marine creatures, using their sharp teeth to capture and hold prey.

Fossils of plesiosaurs have been found on every continent, indicating their global distribution during the Mesozoic Era.