Facts about Ichthyosaurs, an extinct prehistoric animal

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Dinosaur Jungle   >   Other Prehistoric Animals   >   Ichthyosaurs

Ichthyosaurs



Ichthyosaurus
Click here for more Ichthyosaur Pictures

Scientific Classification
  Kingdom Animalia
  Phylum Chordata
  Class Sauropsida
  Subclass Diapsida
  Superorder Ichthyopterygia
  Order Ichthyosauria
Ichthyosaurs were large marine reptiles that lived through most of the Mesozoic Era. They seem to have evolved from a group of terrestrial reptiles (a group which is still to be identified) during the early Triassic period, about 245 million years ago, initially looking rather like lizards with fins.

Ichthyosaurs continued to evolve during the Triassic period, and both dolphin-like and somewhat serpent-like forms existed, the latter sometimes growing to huge sizes, as much as 50 feet (15 meters) in length. By the early Jurassic period, Ichthyosaurs had reached their peak of diversity, and a long slow decline in diversity continued through the Jurassic and into the Cretaceous period. The last Icthyosaurs finally became extinct during the middle to late Cretaceous, perhaps about 90 million years ago.

In outward physical form, Ichthyosaurs tend to resemble whales, dolphins or sharks. This is a result of convergent evolution - sharks, cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), and ichthyosaurs all evolved similar body shapes, because it is a good hydrodynamic solution for swimming.

Fossilized ichthyosaur:
Ichthyosaur fossil

One difference between Ichthyosaurs and many other marine predators, is that it is believed that Ichthyosaurs probably hunted by sight (rather than for example echo-location). Part of the evidence for this is that Ichthyosaurs generally had comparatively large eyes - one particular genus of Ichthyosaur, namely Temnodontosaurus which lived in Jurassic Europe and was about 30 feet (12 meters) long, had the largest eyes of any known vertebrate - its eyes were 10 inches (26 centimeters) in diameter.

Another noteworthy fact about Ichthyosaurs is that at least some species, perhaps even all species, seem to have given birth to live young. The evidence for this is that fossils have been found of Ichthyosaurs containing fossils of babies within the abdomen. It has been suggested that perhaps these babies were stomach contents and therefore evidence of cannibalism, however it seems more likely that these fossils show a pregnant Ichthyosaur that died just before (or perhaps even during) giving birth.

Fossil fragments of Ichthyosaurs have been known since at least 1699, however the the first complete fossil specimen was found by Mary Anning in 1811 in Lyme Regis, England (Mary Anning subsequently discovered three species of Ichthyosaur). A large number of other fossils were also found by a 1905 expedition to central Nevada, including a 55 foot (17 meter) Shonisaurus (a very large, late Triassic Ichthyosaur), which since 1977, has been designated as Nevada's State Fossil.

Ichthyosaurs Timeline:



Ichthyosaurs were marine reptiles that lived between 245 and 90 million years ago

Ichthyosaurs were marine reptiles that lived between 245 and 90 million years ago


Related Information & Resources


See Also

Ichthyosaur Books


Here are some books from Amazon.com:

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Ichthyosaurs (Exploring Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures)
By Susan H. Gray

The Child's World, Inc.
Kindle Edition (32 pages)

Ichthyosaurs (Exploring Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures)
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Ichthyosaurs (Exploring Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures)
  • Manufacturer: The Child's World, Inc.
Details:
  • Kindle Edition
  • Format: Kindle eBook
  • Number of Pages: 32
  • Author: Susan H. Gray
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Ichthyosaurs (Ancient Marine Life)
By Kate Moening

Bellwether Media
Released: January 1st, 2023
Library Binding (24 pages)

Ichthyosaurs (Ancient Marine Life)
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Description:
Ichthyosaurs (Ancient Marine Life)
  • Manufacturer: Bellwether Media
  • EAN: 9798886871692
Details:
  • Product Category: Library Binding
  • Number of Pages: 24
  • Author: Kate Moening
  • Publication Date: January 1st, 2023
  • Release Date: January 1st, 2023
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.1 inches by 7.7 inches by 0.3 inches
  • Weight: 0.55 pounds
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Ancient Sea Reptiles: Plesiosaurs, Ichthyosaurs, Mosasaurs, and More
By Darren Naish

Smithsonian Books
Released: February 28th, 2023
Navy Hardcover (192 pages)

Ancient Sea Reptiles: Plesiosaurs, Ichthyosaurs, Mosasaurs, and More
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Ancient Sea Reptiles: Plesiosaurs, Ichthyosaurs, Mosasaurs, and More
  • Manufacturer: Smithsonian Books
  • ISBN: 1588347273
  • EAN: 9781588347275
  • PartNumber: 9781588347275
Details:
  • Hardcover
  • Number of Pages: 192
  • Author: Darren Naish
  • Publication Date: February 28th, 2023
  • Release Date: February 28th, 2023
Physical Description:
  • Size: 10.24 inches by 7.9 inches by 0.76 inches
  • Weight: 1.84967837818 pounds
  • Color: Navy
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Ichthyosaur (21st Century Junior Library: Dinosaurs)
By Josh Gregory

Cherry Lake Publishing
Kindle Edition (24 pages)

Ichthyosaur (21st Century Junior Library: Dinosaurs)
Lowest New Price: $12.79*
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Description:
Ichthyosaur (21st Century Junior Library: Dinosaurs)
  • Manufacturer: Cherry Lake Publishing
Details:
  • Kindle Edition
  • Format: Kindle eBook
  • Number of Pages: 24
  • Author: Josh Gregory
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Neptune’s Ark: From Ichthyosaurs to Orcas
By David Rains Wallace

University of California Press
Released: May 14th, 2007
Hardcover (313 pages)

Neptune’s Ark: From Ichthyosaurs to Orcas
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Description:
Neptune’s Ark: From Ichthyosaurs to Orcas
  • Manufacturer: University of California Press
  • ISBN: 0520243226
  • EAN: 9780520243224
  • PartNumber: new-Nov09usbook-2017-c054157
Details:
  • Hardcover
  • Edition: 1
  • Number of Pages: 313
  • Author: David Rains Wallace
  • Publication Date: May 14th, 2007
  • Release Date: May 14th, 2007
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.4 inches by 6.5 inches by 1.0 inches
  • Weight: 1.3999353637 pounds
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Izzy the Ichthyosaur: A story of the creatures of the ancient Jurrasic Seas
By L McBunting

Independently published
Released: September 19th, 2024
Paperback (29 pages)

Izzy the Ichthyosaur: A story of the creatures of the ancient Jurrasic Seas
Lowest New Price: $13.31*
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Description:
Izzy the Ichthyosaur: A story of the creatures of the ancient Jurrasic Seas
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • EAN: 9798339723035
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 29
  • Author: L McBunting
  • Publication Date: September 19th, 2024
  • Release Date: September 19th, 2024
Physical Description:
  • Size: 8.25 inches by 8.25 inches by 0.07 inches
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The Ichthyosaur Pantry: 30 historical recipe's (The Mythical or Extinct Pantry)
By Steve Page

Independently published
Released: July 25th, 2024
Paperback (55 pages)

The Ichthyosaur Pantry: 30 historical recipe s (The Mythical or Extinct Pantry)
Lowest New Price: $13.14*
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Description:
The Ichthyosaur Pantry: 30 historical recipe's (The Mythical or Extinct Pantry)
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • EAN: 9798334072046
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 55
  • Author: Steve Page
  • Publication Date: July 25th, 2024
  • Release Date: July 25th, 2024
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 Inches by 0.13 Inches
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Discover the Ichthyosaur (21st Century Junior Library: Our Prehistoric World: Dinosaurs)
By Josh Gregory

Cherry Lake Publishing
Released: August 1st, 2024
Paperback (24 pages)

Discover the Ichthyosaur (21st Century Junior Library: Our Prehistoric World: Dinosaurs)
List Price: $12.79*
Lowest New Price: $9.76*
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Description:
Discover the Ichthyosaur (21st Century Junior Library: Our Prehistoric World: Dinosaurs)
  • Manufacturer: Cherry Lake Publishing
  • ISBN: 1668948079
  • EAN: 9781668948071
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 24
  • Author: Josh Gregory
  • Publication Date: August 1st, 2024
  • Release Date: August 1st, 2024
Physical Description:
  • Weight: 1.1133344231 pounds
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The Princeton Field Guide to Mesozoic Sea Reptiles
By Gregory S. Paul

Princeton University Press
Released: October 18th, 2022
Hardcover (208 pages)

The Princeton Field Guide to Mesozoic Sea Reptiles
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The Princeton Field Guide to Mesozoic Sea Reptiles
  • Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
  • ISBN: 0691193800
  • EAN: 9780691193809
  • PartNumber: 9780691193809
Details:
  • Hardcover
  • Number of Pages: 208
  • Author: Gregory S. Paul
  • Publication Date: October 18th, 2022
  • Release Date: October 18th, 2022
Physical Description:
  • Size: 11.0 inches by 8.5 inches by 0.75 inches
  • Weight: 2.314853751 pounds
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Ichthyosaur Coloring Boo
By JOHNNY CHAPMAN

Independently published
Released: September 23rd, 2020
Paperback (68 pages)

Ichthyosaur Coloring Boo
Lowest New Price: $7.14*
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Description:
Ichthyosaur Coloring Boo
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • EAN: 9798689622026
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 68
  • Author: JOHNNY CHAPMAN
  • Publication Date: September 23rd, 2020
  • Release Date: September 23rd, 2020
Physical Description:
  • Size: 11.0 inches by 8.5 inches by 0.16 inches
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