Liopleurodon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Liopleurodon Temporal range: Upper Jurassic
Liopleurodon ferox
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Class:	Sauropsida
Order:	Plesiosauria
Family:	Pliosauridae
Genus:	Liopleurodon Sauvage, 1873

Imagine a giant marine reptile, a true king of the ancient oceans! That was Liopleurodon, a huge Pliosaur that swam the seas about 160 to 155 million years ago. This amazing creature lived during the Upper Jurassic period. It was a top predator, meaning it was at the very top of the food chain.

Liopleurodon could grow up to 6.39 metres (about 21 feet) long. It was related to other large marine reptiles like Pliosaurus and Kronosaurus. This powerful hunter preyed on other sea animals, including creatures like Ophthalmosaurus.

Some very large fossil bones found in the Kimmeridge Clay in England suggest there might have been even bigger pliosaurs. These fossils indicate an animal possibly up to 15 metres (about 49 feet) long! However, scientists are not sure if these huge bones belong to the Liopleurodon genus.

Life in the Ancient Ocean

Liopleurodon was perfectly adapted for life in the sea. It had a special nose that allowed it to smell underwater. This meant it could sniff out its prey from far away, making it a very effective hunter.

Even though Liopleurodon needed to breathe air, it spent its entire life in the ocean. It could not come out onto land. Because of this, Liopleurodon would have given birth to live young, just like modern-day dolphins or whales. It might have visited shallower waters when it was time to have its babies.

Types of Liopleurodon

Scientists have identified several different types, or species, of Liopleurodon. These are:

• L. ferox (this is the main type that scientists use to define the genus)
• L. pachydeirus
• L. rossicus
• L. macromerus

Images for kids

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  Reconstruction of the skull of L. ferox

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  Teeth

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  Skull lithograph of L. ferox

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  Restoration

See also

In Spanish: Liopleurodon para niños