Marine Reptiles of the Dinosaur Age

Have you ever heard the term “sea dinosaur”?
The truth is, dinosaurs primarily inhabited the land, and the animals commonly associated with the sea are classified as marine reptiles.
These were specialized creatures that flourished in the oceans during the same time as the dinosaurs.

These marine reptiles are divided into several groups:

Ichthyosaurs (Fish Lizards)

They possessed streamlined bodies, similar to modern fish or dolphins, and were highly skilled at fast swimming.
Fossils of Utatsusaurus have been discovered in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

Utatsusaurus

Plesiosaurs (Neck Lizards)

There were types with long necks (such as Elasmosaurus) and types with short necks (such as Liopleurodon).
The long necks are believed to have helped them catch fish.
Futabasuzukiryu, discovered in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a representative species of this group.

Futabasuzukiryu

Lepidosaurs (Scaled Reptiles)

While some species of this group lived on land, it also included those that adapted to the marine environment, such as the Mosasaurs.

Crocodylomorphs

Marine species resembling modern crocodiles, such as Metriorhynchus, also existed, characterized by a crocodile-like head.

Metriorhynchus

Turtles

The gigantic Archelon, despite existing millions of years ago, had an appearance strikingly similar to modern sea turtles.

Summary

During the age of dinosaurs, these marine reptiles dominated the vast oceans.
Their existence and their distinct evolutionary path from land-based dinosaurs speak to the incredible diversity of life on ancient Earth.