Plesiosaurs

Plesiosaurs were a diverse group of marine reptiles that dominated the seas during the Mesozoic Era. These fascinating creatures are instantly recognizable by their elongated necks, powerful flippers, and streamlined bodies. While often depicted with long, serpentine necks, plesiosaurs actually exhibited a wide range of neck lengths and body shapes.

Some plesiosaurs, like Elasmosaurus, had incredibly long necks composed of numerous vertebrae. These long-necked plesiosaurs likely used their flexible necks to feed on small prey, such as fish and squid, in shallow waters. In contrast, other plesiosaurs, such as Liopleurodon, had shorter, more robust necks and powerful jaws. These short-necked plesiosaurs were apex predators, capable of taking down large marine reptiles and other large prey.