Ichthyosaurus

ancient reptile · ocean predator · Jurassic

Dolphin of the dinosaur age. Ichthyosaurus looked remarkably like a modern dolphin, with a streamlined body and a powerful tail for swimming fast through ancient seas.

Sharp-toothed hunter. These reptiles had long snouts filled with sharp teeth, making them expert hunters of fish and squid in Jurassic oceans.

Found in Europe. Fossils of Ichthyosaurus have been discovered in rock formations across Europe, especially in England and Switzerland, telling us where these creatures lived millions of years ago.

Super famous fossil. Ichthyosaurus is so well-known that scientists named an entire order of marine reptiles after it, making it one of the most important creatures we know from the age of dinosaurs.

Born in the water. Unlike some marine reptiles, Ichthyosaurus gave birth to live babies in the ocean rather than laying eggs on land.