Ichthyosaurs - 180 million years ago
Ichthyosaurs lived from the early Jurassic to the early
Cretacious. They grew to about 2 metres in length and weighed
approximately 90 kg. They were reptiles, but fossil remains
show that they gave birth to live young, instead of laying
eggs.
They are believed to have moved their whole
bodies whilst swimming, in a motion similar to that of dolphins.
Speeds of 40 kph (25 mph) have been estimated. This is an
Ichthyosaur on display at Peterborough museum. The remains of its
last meal can be seen in its stomach.
Their large eyes and significant ear bones
indicate good sight and hearing. This suggests that they may have
had a complex audio communication system, as modern dolphins do.
They were carnivorous, but had small teeth. Their diet consisted of
fish and ammonites.
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