Plesiosaurs

Plesiosaurs were amazing sea reptiles that lived during the age of dinosaurs. They were not actually dinosaurs, but marine reptiles. They had long necks, small heads, and four flippers. Plesiosaurs lived from about 200 to 66 million years ago.

Built for Swimming

Plesiosaurs had four large flippers instead of legs. They "flew" through the water by flapping their flippers like underwater wings. Some species had necks longer than their entire bodies! The longest plesiosaur necks had over 70 bones. They breathed air and had to come to the surface.

Ocean Hunters

Plesiosaurs ate fish, squid, and other sea creatures. Their long necks let them sneak their heads into schools of fish. Their teeth were sharp and pointed forward to trap slippery prey. Plesiosaurs gave birth to live babies in the water, like whales do today.

Fun Facts

• Some people think the Loch Ness Monster is a surviving plesiosaur, but scientists say that is impossible.
• Plesiosaurs swallowed small stones to help them dive deeper.
• They gave birth to live babies instead of laying eggs.

Did You Know?

The first plesiosaur fossil was found by Mary Anning, a famous fossil hunter, in England in 1823. She was only 12 when she found her first major fossil, an ichthyosaur!