A listing of prehistoric sea creatures that inhabited the sector’s oceans earlier than, all the way through, and after the age of the dinosaurs. Learn on to find superb prehistoric ocean animals corresponding to plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, pliosaurs, mosasaurs and ammonites.
Index
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Advent
Dinosaurs could also be the best-known prehistoric animals, however regardless of dominating the land all the way through the Mesozoic Technology, they by no means tailored to lifestyles within the ocean.
Seek advice from our major dinosaur web page to find the whole lot you ever sought after to find out about dinosaurs: Dinosaurs – The Entire Information
So-called “sea-dinosaurs” corresponding to plesiosaurs and mosasaurs will have been reptiles, however they have been now not dinosaurs, each and every forming their very own, separate department within the reptile circle of relatives tree.
Under is an inventory of prehistoric ocean animals from earlier than, all the way through and after the Mesozoic Technology. Lots of the animals at the checklist are reptiles, however different notable prehistoric sea creatures, together with fish and mammals, have additionally been integrated…
Ammonite
- Magnificence of animal: Cephalopoda
- Circle of relatives: Ammonoidea
- When it lived: Devonian to Cretaceous (roughly 400 to 66 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (fossils were discovered on each and every continent)
- Dimension: Ranged from a couple of centimeters / inches to over 2 meters / 6.5 toes. in diameter
Ammonites have been marine mollusks with spiral shells divided into chambers. Ammonites have been cephalopods, and as such, comparable to fashionable squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish.
Those free-swimming predators preyed on smaller marine creatures, and will have been in a position to squirt ink at possible predators, similar to fashionable cephalopods. Their extinction coincided with the mass extinction match that still burnt up the dinosaurs.
Considerable in prehistoric oceans, ammonites are used as index fossils – their fashionable presence and fast evolution permit geologists to appropriately date and correlate rock layers throughout other geographic areas.
You’ll to find out extra about ammonites in this web page: Ammonite Details
Archelon
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Turtle)
- Circle of relatives: Protostegidae
- When it lived: Overdue Cretaceous (about 80 to 74 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: North The united states (fossils basically discovered within the Western Internal Seaway)
- Dimension: As much as 4.6 meters (15 ft) in duration and about 3.3 meters (11 ft) flipper span
The most important turtle ever recognized, Archelon was once longer than the blended top of 2 males.
This prehistoric sea turtle had a leathery carapace – very similar to that of the residing leatherback turtle – fairly than a difficult shell, and elongated, paddle-like flippers for swimming. Regardless of similarities between the 2, Archelon was once now not associated with the leatherback sea turtle.
The huge measurement and robust flippers of Archelon made it a robust swimmer, enabling it emigrate over lengthy distances within the ocean. It had tough jaws for crushing prey, and most probably consumed mollusks, crustaceans, and jellyfish.
Basilosaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Mammalia (Cetacean)
- Circle of relatives: Basilosauridae
- When it lived: Overdue Eocene (about 41 to 33.9 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: North The united states, Northern Africa, West Asia
- Dimension: Roughly 15 to twenty meters (49 to 66 ft) in duration
Basilosaurus was once an early whale with a protracted, slim frame similar to that of a snake or eel.
Regardless of having “saurus” as a part of its title (saurus comes from the Greek for “Lizard” and most often denotes a reptile), Basilosaurus, like every whales, was once a mammal. (On the time of its naming, this massive prehistoric sea creature was once concept to were a reptile.)
Basilosaurus was once most probably a most sensible predator in its marine atmosphere, feeding on fish, sharks, and most likely different marine mammals. Its elongated frame and massive measurement made it a powerful hunter.
Cretoxyrhina
- Magnificence of animal: Chondrichthyes (Shark)
- Circle of relatives: Cretoxyrhinidae
- When it lived: Overdue Cretaceous (about 100 to 82 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (fossils present in North The united states, Europe, and Africa)
- Dimension: As much as 8 meters (26 ft) in duration
Cretoxyrhina was once a big shark from the Cretaceous Length. Like residing sharks, it has a strong frame, tough jaws, and sharp, serrated enamel designed for cutting via flesh.
This prehistoric shark was once came upon in East Sussex, England, through paleontologist Gideon Mantell. It was once later given the title Cretoxyrhina mantelli in honor of the scientist. The species is sometimes called the Ginsu shark.
Cretoxyrhina was once an apex predator in its ecosystem, preying on quite a few marine animals, together with fish, different sharks, and marine reptiles. Its fossilized enamel and vertebrae are present in Overdue Cretaceous marine deposits.
Dakosaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Crocodylomorpha – a gaggle that accommodates crocodiles and comparable animals)
- Circle of relatives: Metriorhynchidae
- When it lived: Overdue Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (about 157 to 137 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: Europe and South The united states
- Dimension: As much as 5 meters (16 ft) in duration
Dakosaurus was once a marine crocodyliform with a strong frame, elongated jaws, and serrated enamel similar to the ones of theropod dinosaurs.
Not like fashionable crocodiles, Dakosaurus was once totally tailored to marine lifestyles with paddle-like limbs and a tail fluke for swimming. Scientists are undecided whether or not it laid eggs on land like nowadays’s sea turtles, or performed its whole lifestyles cycle at sea.
With its tough jaws, Dakosaurus was once almost definitely a most sensible predator in its oceanic atmosphere, searching fish and different marine reptiles. Its fearsome look has earned it the nickname “Godzilla”.
Dunkleosteus
- Magnificence of animal: Placodermi (an extinct crew of prehistoric fish)
- Circle of relatives: Dunkleosteidae
- When it lived: Overdue Devonian (about 382 to 358 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: North The united states, Europe, and Morocco
- Dimension: As much as 10 meters (33 ft) in duration
Dunkleosteus was once probably the most greatest and maximum fearsome prehistoric fish, with a closely armored head and thorax. Its jaws have been supplied with sharp, bony plates that acted like shears, in a position to reducing during the hardest prey.
This fearsome prehistoric fish is assumed to have had probably the most most powerful chunk forces of any recognized animal. Estimates of the utmost duration of Dunkleosteus vary from round 5 m / 16.5 toes to as much as 10 m / 33 ft.
Dunkleosteus lived all the way through the Devonian Length, tens of millions of years earlier than the arriving of the dinosaurs.
Most likely an apex predator in its marine atmosphere, Dunkleosteus consumed different fish and marine animals. Its tough chunk and large measurement would have made it a dominant power within the Devonian seas.
Elasmosaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Plesiosaur)
- Circle of relatives: Elasmosauridae
- When it lived: Overdue Cretaceous (about 80.5 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: North The united states (significantly within the Western Internal Seaway)
- Dimension: As much as 14 meters (46 ft) in duration, with the neck on my own being about 7 meters (23 ft) lengthy
Elasmosaurus was once a long-necked marine reptile recognized for its highly-elongated neck, which made up just about part of its overall frame duration. It, and the comparable Albertonectes, are the longest-necked animals that ever lived.
Like different long-necked plesiosaurs, Elasmosaurus had a small head, wide flippers, and a streamlined frame, tailored for swimming. It most probably consumed small fish and invertebrates, the usage of its elongated neck to brush via colleges of fish or to ambush prey.
Helicoprion
- Magnificence of animal: Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous fish)
- Circle of relatives: Helicoprionidae
- When it lived: Early Mid-Permian Length (about 290 to 270 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (fossils basically present in North The united states, Jap Europe, Asia, and Australia)
- Dimension: Estimated as much as 8 meters (26 ft) in duration
Helicoprion was once a cartilaginous fish recognized for its distinctive spiral jaw, which housed a whorl of serrated enamel. This “tooth-whorl” was once situated within the decrease jaw and most probably functioned to slice and overwhelm its prey, which integrated soft-bodied animals corresponding to cephalopods.
With a torpedo-like frame and massive, forked tail, Helicoprion was once most probably a fast-moving predator of the open oceans.
Ichthyosaurs
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia
- Circle of relatives: Ichthyosauridae (and different comparable households inside of Ichthyosauria)
- When it lived: Early Triassic to Overdue Cretaceous (about 250 to 90 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (fossils present in North The united states, Europe, Asia, and Australia)
- Dimension: Ranged from beneath 1 meter (3 ft) to over 20 meters (66 ft) in duration, relying at the species
Ichthyosaurs have been a gaggle (the order Ichthyosauria) of marine reptiles that resembled fashionable dolphins and fish, with streamlined our bodies, elongated snouts, and massive eyes. They have been extremely tailored to lifestyles within the ocean, possessing sturdy, paddle-like limbs and tails for environment friendly swimming.
The title “Ichthyosaurs” approach “fish lizard”. The resemblance of Ichthyosaurs to residing fish and dolphins is an instance of convergent evolution – the phenomenon of unrelated animals creating an identical traits.
Ichthyosaurs have been most probably most sensible predators, feeding on fish, squid, and different marine organisms. They’re recognized for giving reside delivery, as evidenced through fossilized stays of pregnant folks.
Some of the best-known ichthyosaurs was once Ichthyosaurus (see under), which lived all the way through the Early Jurassic. Ichthyosaurus went extinct within the Jurassic Length, however different varieties of ichthyosaurs lived nearly to the tip of the Cretaceous Length.
Ichthyosaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Ichthyosaur)
- Circle of relatives: Ichthyosauridae
- When it lived: Early Jurassic (about 200 to 190 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: Europe (significantly in England and Germany)
- Dimension: Round to three meters (10 ft) in duration
Ichthyosaurus was once a genus of ichthyosaur that had a fish-like frame, wide eyes, and a protracted, pointed snout stuffed with conical enamel. It was once an agile swimmer, well-adapted to searching fish and squid within the early Jurassic seas. Its wide eyes counsel it had just right imaginative and prescient, most likely for searching in low-light stipulations.
Fossil proof presentations that Ichthyosaurus gave delivery to reside younger, with some specimens maintaining embryos inside the frame. The genus is likely one of the best-known and maximum studied ichthyosaurs.
Livyatan melvillei
- Magnificence of animal: Mammalia (Cetacean)
- Circle of relatives: Physeteroidea
- When it lived: Overdue Miocene to Early Pliocene (about 10 to five million years in the past)
- The place discovered: South The united states (significantly in Peru)
- Dimension: Estimated as much as 17.5 meters (57 ft) in duration
Livyatan melvillei was once an enormous prehistoric sperm whale with monumental enamel measuring as much as 36 cm (14 inches) in duration. Not like fashionable sperm whales, that have enamel best of their decrease jaws, Livyatan had enamel in each higher and decrease jaws, suggesting it was once an lively predator.
This prehistoric marine predator most probably hunted wide prey, together with different marine mammals corresponding to seals and smaller whales. Its huge measurement and bold dentition made it probably the most most sensible predators within the Miocene oceans, very similar to the fashionable orca on the subject of ecological position.
The second one a part of the species’ clinical title, melvillei, honors the creator Herman Melville, author of “Moby Dick”, a singular that includes an enormous sperm whale.
Liopleurodon
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Pliosaur)
- Circle of relatives: Pliosauridae
- When it lived: Heart to Overdue Jurassic (about 166 to 155 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: Europe (significantly in England and France)
- Dimension: As much as 6.4 meters (21 ft) in duration (some estimates counsel as much as 10 meters / 33 ft)
The circle of relatives Pliosauridae contained each long-necked and short-necked, large-headed species. The fast-necked crew is known as Thalassophonea, and one in every of its best-known participants is Liopleurodon.
Liopleurodon was once a big pliosaur supplied with tough jaws, with which it hunted wide prey, together with fish, squid, and different marine reptiles. It had a strong frame with sturdy, paddle-like limbs that supplied the swift acceleration required for an ambush predator.
This Jurassic apex predator most probably had a well-developed sense of odor, as indicated through its wide nasal openings, which might have helped it discover prey from a distance.
Megalodon
- Magnificence of animal: Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous fish)
- Circle of relatives: Otodontidae
- When it lived: Early Miocene to Pliocene (about 23 to three.6 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (fossils discovered on each and every continent except for Antarctica)
- Dimension: Estimates vary from 15 to 18 meters (49 to 59 ft) in duration
Otodus megalodon, most often recognized merely as Megalodon, is assumed to were the biggest shark that ever lived.
Corresponding to a residing shark, however greater, Megalodon had huge, serrated enamel measuring as much as 18 cm (7 inches) in duration. With a drastically tough chunk power – most likely the best of any animal alive or extinct, even the shells of sea turtles would have posed no issue to Megalodon. Additionally at the menu would were whales, seals, and sea turtles.
Megalodon inhabited heat, coastal waters all over the world. Megalodons went extinct round a million years earlier than the arriving of Homo habilis, an early ancestor of people.
You’ll to find out extra about Megalodon in this web page: Megalodon Details
Mosasaurs
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia
- Circle of relatives: Mosasauridae
- When it lived: Overdue Cretaceous (about 98 to 66 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (fossils present in North The united states, Europe, Africa, South The united states, and Asia)
- Dimension: Ranged from 1 meter (3.3 ft) to over 17 meters (56 ft) in duration, relying at the species
Following the extinction of the ichthyosaurs and pliosaurs, it was once the flip of the Mosasaurs to dominate the oceans of the Overdue Cretaceous. Those wide, predatory marine reptiles belong to the reptile crew Squamata, which could also be house to lizards and snakes. They’re concept to have developed from small, coastal lizards, and could also be comparable to observe lizards.
A systematic find out about printed in 2016 suggests Mosasaurs had forked tongues. (supply)
The sturdy jaws of mosasaurs have been covered with sharp enamel, enabling them to seek all kinds of prey, together with fish, sharks, cephalopods, or even different marine reptiles. Their anatomy suggests they have been instant and agile swimmers, in a position to ambushing or pursuing their prey.
Mosasaurs are regarded as probably the most most sensible marine predators in their time, and their fashionable fossil distribution highlights their good fortune and suppleness in historic marine ecosystems.
You’ll to find out extra about mosasaurs in this web page: Mosasaur Details
Mosasaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Mosasaur)
- Circle of relatives: Mosasauridae
- When it lived: Overdue Cretaceous (about 80 to 66 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (significantly in North The united states and Europe)
- Dimension: As much as 17 meters (56 ft) in duration
Mosasaurus was once probably the most greatest and maximum bold mosasaurs, possessing a strong frame, a protracted, tough tail, and paddle-like limbs tailored for environment friendly swimming. It had an elongated head with sturdy jaws covered with a lot of sharp enamel, designed for gripping and tearing prey.
Mosasaurus was once an apex predator in its marine atmosphere, preying on quite a few marine animals, together with fish, sharks, cephalopods, and smaller marine reptiles. Its tough construct and predatory abilities made it a dominant power within the Overdue Cretaceous oceans.
You’ll to find out extra about mosasaurus in this web page: Mosasaurus Details
Nothosaurs
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia
- Circle of relatives: Nothosauridae
- When it lived: Heart Triassic to Overdue Triassic (about 240 to 210 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: Europe, Asia, and North Africa
- Dimension: Ranged from 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 ft) in duration
Nothosaurs have been semi-aquatic reptiles with elongated our bodies, lengthy necks, and limbs tailored for each swimming and strolling on land. They’d webbed ft and a streamlined form that allowed for environment friendly motion in water, however they may additionally transfer on land, very similar to fashionable seals.
Nothosaurs had elongated jaws stuffed with sharp enamel, very best for catching fish and different small marine animals. Their twin way of life and suppleness made them a hit predators in each marine and coastal environments all the way through the Triassic duration.
Nothosaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Nothosaur)
- Circle of relatives: Nothosauridae
- When it lived: Heart Triassic to Overdue Triassic (about 240 to 210 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: Europe and Asia
- Dimension: Round 4 meters (13 ft) in duration
Nothosaurus is the best-known form of nothosaur. This semi-aquatic Triassic predator had a streamlined frame, lengthy neck, and webbed limbs, and was once semi-aquatic, with the ability to transfer each within the water and on land.
The elongated, crocodile-like jaws of Nothosaurus have been stuffed with sharp, conical enamel, appropriate for catching slippery prey corresponding to fish and squid.
Nothosaurus had an approach to life very similar to that of contemporary seals, being in a position to swimming successfully in water whilst additionally with the ability to haul out onto land. Their fossils are incessantly present in marine deposits, indicating that they spent a vital period of time within the water, however in addition they most probably basked and nested on land.
Opabinia
- Magnificence of animal: Marrellomorpha (incessantly debated) (Arthropod)
- Circle of relatives: Opabiniidae
- When it lived: Heart Cambrian (about 505 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: North The united states (significantly within the Burgess Shale, Canada)
- Dimension: Roughly 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) in duration
Some of the earliest animals in this checklist of prehistoric ocean creatures, Opabinia was once a marine arthropod that lived over 500 million years in the past.
This small, soft-bodied marine animal is notable for its strange look, with 5 eyes on stalks and a protracted, versatile proboscis with a claw-like construction on the finish. This proboscis was once most probably used to grab and manipulate meals.
The frame of Opabinia had lobes alongside its aspects and a fan-shaped tail, suggesting it was once a swimmer that moved during the water through undulating its frame and lobes. Its distinctive anatomy has made it probably the most intriguing and iconic creatures from the Cambrian duration.
Plesiosaurs
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia
- Circle of relatives: Plesiosauridae (and different comparable households inside of Plesiosauria)
- When it lived: Overdue Triassic to Overdue Cretaceous (about 203 to 66 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (fossils came upon on each and every continent)
- Dimension: Ranged from 2 to fifteen meters (6.5 to 49 ft) in duration, relying at the species
Plesiosaurs have been wide marine reptiles with huge our bodies, brief tails, and 4 lengthy, paddle-like limbs that they used for propulsion in water. They have been probably the most a hit teams of prehistoric sea animals, residing from the Overdue Triassic the entire means as much as the extinction match on the finish of the Cretaceous Length during which the dinosaurs additionally turned into extinct.
There have been two major teams of plesiosaurs: long-necked (plesiosauromorphs) and short-necked (pliosauromorphs). The long-necked plesiosaurs had elongated necks and small heads, which they most probably used to catch small fish and different marine organisms.
The fast-necked types had greater heads and robust jaws, tailored for searching greater prey.
Plesiosaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Plesiosaur)
- Circle of relatives: Plesiosauridae
- When it lived: Early Jurassic (about 201 to 183 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: Europe (significantly in England and Germany)
- Dimension: Roughly 3.5 to 4.5 meters (11 to fifteen ft) in duration
Plesiosaurus was once a long-necked plesiosaur with a huge, flat frame, a brief tail, and 4 wide, paddle-like limbs used for swimming. Its lengthy, versatile neck and small head with sharp enamel have been very best diversifications for catching fish and different small marine creatures.
One idea on how Plesiosaurus moved during the water means that it used its 4 flippers in a coordinated means very similar to underwater “flying”. Some other, previous, idea proposes that every one 4 flippers labored in a extra synchronized, rowing-like movement to propel the massive sea creature successfully during the water.
Plesiosaurus was once the primary plesiosaur to be came upon.
Pliosaurs
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia
- Circle of relatives: Pliosauridae
- When it lived: Early Jurassic to Overdue Cretaceous (about 201 to 80 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: International (fossils present in North The united states, Europe, South The united states, and Australia)
- Dimension: Ranged from 4 to fifteen meters (13 to 49 ft) in duration, relying at the species
Pliosaurs have been a gaggle of plesiosaurs with brief necks, wide heads, tough jaws stuffed with sharp enamel, and powerful our bodies. The hind flippers of pliosaurs have been longer than the fore-flippers (in different varieties of plesiosaurs, the other is correct).
Those prehistoric ocean reptiles have been bold predators, in a position to searching wide prey, together with fish, squid, and different marine reptiles.
Two well known examples of pliosaurs are Liopleurodon and Kronosaurus, each famend for his or her wide measurement and robust jaws.
Pliosaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Pliosaur)
- Circle of relatives: Pliosauridae
- When it lived: Overdue Jurassic (about 155 to 145 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: Europe (significantly in England and France), with imaginable stays present in South The united states and Australia
- Dimension: Estimated as much as 10 to 13 meters (33 to 43 ft) in duration
Pliosaurus was once a genus of huge, predatory marine reptiles characterised through a strong frame, slightly brief neck, and a huge head supplied with tough jaws and massive, conical enamel.
On the time of writing, six species of Pliosaurus are known. The primary species to be named was once Pliosaurus brachydeirus. It was once named through English paleontologist Richard Owen, who additionally invented the time period “dinosaur” to explain the now-famous crew of prehistoric land animals.
Shastasaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Ichthyosaur)
- Circle of relatives: Shastasauridae
- When it lived: Overdue Triassic (about 215 to 210 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: North The united states (significantly in California and Nevada), with imaginable stays in China
- Dimension: Estimated as much as 10 meters (33 ft) in duration
Shastasaurus was once probably the most greatest recognized ichthyosaurs, with a streamlined, dolphin-like frame tailored for environment friendly swimming within the open ocean.
Not like many different ichthyosaurs, Shastasaurus had a slightly brief, blunt snout and lacked the everyday elongated, conical enamel, suggesting it is going to have consumed soft-bodied prey like squid and fish the usage of suction feeding.
Its wide measurement and streamlined form point out that Shastasaurus was once well-suited for deep diving and long-distance swimming.
Tylosaurus
- Magnificence of animal: Reptilia (Mosasaur)
- Circle of relatives: Mosasauridae
- When it lived: Overdue Cretaceous (about 85 to 66 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: North The united states (significantly within the Western Internal Seaway)
- Dimension: As much as 14 meters (46 ft) in duration
Tylosaurus was once a big, predatory mosasaur with a protracted, streamlined frame and robust, paddle-like limbs tailored for swimming. It had an elongated head with a particular, bony protrusion on its snout, and its jaws have been stuffed with sharp enamel, very best for catching and maintaining onto prey.
Tylosaurus was once an apex predator in its marine atmosphere, preying on fish, sharks, smaller marine reptiles, or even seabirds. Its tough swimming skills and predatory abilities made it probably the most dominant marine sea animals of the Overdue Cretaceous duration.
Xiphactinus
- Magnificence of animal: Actinopterygii (Bony fish)
- Circle of relatives: Ichthyodectidae
- When it lived: Overdue Cretaceous (about 112 to 66 million years in the past)
- The place discovered: North The united states, Europe, and Australia (significantly within the Western Internal Seaway of North The united states)
- Dimension: As much as 6 meters (20 ft) in duration
Xiphactinus was once a big, predatory bony fish recognized for its powerful frame, elongated, streamlined form, and massive, fang-like enamel. It had a robust, upturned decrease jaw, which gave it a powerful look. Its frame form resembled that of a contemporary tarpon
Xiphactinus was once an apex predator in its marine atmosphere, in a position to instant swimming and most probably ambushing or chasing down prey, which integrated smaller fish and different marine animals. A number of fossils of Xiphactinus have smaller fish preserved inside of their stomachs.
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