Pliosaur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pliosaur |
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Pliosaurs were a group of amazing ancient marine reptiles. They lived in the oceans during the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of Dinosaurs. Unlike some other plesiosaurs, Pliosaurs had short, powerful necks and very large heads. They were huge, ranging from about 2 to 15 meters long! These mighty creatures were top predators, hunting big fish and other reptiles deep underwater. Their sleek bodies helped them swim fast and catch their prey.
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Discovering Pliosaurs
The very first Pliosaur fossil was found by a famous fossil hunter named Mary Anning. She discovered it on the 'Jurassic Coast' in Lyme Regis, England, back in the 1820s. Many of the incredible fossils Mary Anning found can be seen today at the Natural History Museum in London.
Different Kinds of Plesiosaurs
A scientist named D.M.S. Watson suggested that plesiosaurs could be divided into two main groups. Pliosaurs were one group. They were large hunters that chased big prey in deep ocean waters. The other group of plesiosaurs had long necks and smaller heads. These creatures likely swam closer to the surface. They would often keep their heads above water, quickly diving down to grab smaller fish that were feeding on tiny plankton.
Famous Pliosaur Genera
Some well-known Pliosaur types include:
- Rhomaleosaurus
- Pliosaurus
- Liopleurodon
- Kronosaurus
Images for kids
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Liopleurodon ferox
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Macroplata
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Simolestes vorax
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Attenborosaurus
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Cast of "Plesiosaurus" macrocephalus found by Mary Anning, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris
See also
In Spanish: Pliosauroidea para niños
