This week we’re diving back into ancient oceans to meet one of the most famous marine reptiles of them all... Plesiosaur.
With its long neck, broad body, and four powerful flippers, Plesiosaurs looked unlike anything alive today (that we know of!). They lived through much of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, cruising seas that covered huge parts of the world while dinosaurs ruled the land above.
Despite often being called “swimming dinosaurs,” like the Mosasaurs, Plesiosaurs weren't actually true dinosaurs. They were a separate group of marine reptiles, specially adapted for life in the water.
Those four flippers worked a little like underwater wings, helping them glide and manoeuvre with surprising grace. Their long necks may have helped them sneak up on fish and squid, striking quickly with jaws full of sharp curving teeth.
Plesiosaur fossils have been found all over the world, including here in the UK, where some spectacular discoveries helped shape the early days of palaeontology. Famous fossil hunter Mary Anning uncovered important specimens along the Dorset coast, helping introduce these strange creatures to science and our imagination.
With that long neck and mysterious appearance, it’s easy to see why Plesiosaurs are often linked to legends like the Loch Ness Monster. Sadly for Nessie fans, the timeline is slightly off by about 66 million years, but it's a fair comparison!
Fun fact: Evidence shows that Plesiosaurs may likely have given birth to live young in the water, rather than hauling themselves onto land to lay eggs.
