The most commonly talked about things from the Jurassic period may be dinosaurs, but there were many other animals lurking under the protection of the sea.
plesiosaurus
Name: Plesiosaurus (plee-zee-oh-SAWR-us)
Length: 8-46 ft long
Weight: .5 tons
- Ate fish and other small aquatic animals
- Layed eggs in sand burrows (much like the sea turtle today)
- Long neck and four large paddle like feet
- Plesiosaurus means near-lizard
Length: 8-46 ft long
Weight: .5 tons
- Ate fish and other small aquatic animals
- Layed eggs in sand burrows (much like the sea turtle today)
- Long neck and four large paddle like feet
- Plesiosaurus means near-lizard
Liopleurodon
Name: Liopleurodon (LIE-oh-PLOOR-oh-don)
Length: 39-49 ft
Weight: 2.5 tons
- Liopleurodon means smooth sided tooth
- Ate plesiosaurs and other large aquatic animals
- Fossils found in England, France, Germany, and Eastern Europe
Length: 39-49 ft
Weight: 2.5 tons
- Liopleurodon means smooth sided tooth
- Ate plesiosaurs and other large aquatic animals
- Fossils found in England, France, Germany, and Eastern Europe
ichthyosaur
Name: Ichthyosaur (ICK-thee-oh-SAWR)
Length: 2-4 m
Weight: about 350-400 lbs
- Ichthyosaur means fish lizard
- Its believed they had many different colors and patterns
- Gave live birth
- First Ichthyosaur fossil was found in Canada
Length: 2-4 m
Weight: about 350-400 lbs
- Ichthyosaur means fish lizard
- Its believed they had many different colors and patterns
- Gave live birth
- First Ichthyosaur fossil was found in Canada
Cephalopod
Name: Cephalopod (sef-UH-la-pod)
Length: up to 60 m
Weight: up to 1 ton
- Cephalopod means head foot
- Lay eggs
- Have three hearts
Length: up to 60 m
Weight: up to 1 ton
- Cephalopod means head foot
- Lay eggs
- Have three hearts
Nautilus
Name: Nautilus (not-UH-lus)
Length: 20-25 cm
Weight: up to 2 lbs
- Eats small fish and hermit crabs
- Lay eggs
- Live in dark waters about 900-2000 ft down in the ocean
Length: 20-25 cm
Weight: up to 2 lbs
- Eats small fish and hermit crabs
- Lay eggs
- Live in dark waters about 900-2000 ft down in the ocean
Elasmosaurus
Name: Elasmosaurus (el-LAZZ-moe-SAWR-us)
Length: 45 ft
Weight: 3 tons
- Eats fish and shellfish
- Elasmosaurus means ribbon lizard
- Layed eggs
Length: 45 ft
Weight: 3 tons
- Eats fish and shellfish
- Elasmosaurus means ribbon lizard
- Layed eggs
Arandaspis
Name: Arandaspis (a-ran-DASS-pis)
Length: 6 inches
Weight: A few ounces
- Lived in shallow waters
- Fin-less
- Jawless
Length: 6 inches
Weight: A few ounces
- Lived in shallow waters
- Fin-less
- Jawless
Horseshoe Crab
Name: Horseshoe Crab (horse-SHOO-crab)
Length: Up to 24 inches
Weight: .5-6 lbs
- Lay eggs
- They are Arachnids
- Terrible eyesite
Length: Up to 24 inches
Weight: .5-6 lbs
- Lay eggs
- They are Arachnids
- Terrible eyesite
Early Rays
Name: Ray (RAY)
Length: 15-40 in
Weight: .5 lb to 1 ton
- Can whip their stinger wherever and whenever they would like to
- Rays evolved from sharks'
- Wingspan from a few inches to 22 feet
Length: 15-40 in
Weight: .5 lb to 1 ton
- Can whip their stinger wherever and whenever they would like to
- Rays evolved from sharks'
- Wingspan from a few inches to 22 feet
Next lets learn about animals and dinosaurs that ruled the land and air.