Animal A Day!

Pliosaurus funkei (compared to an Orca, Blue Whale, and Human) Today we'll be learning about yet another newly discovered species... only this one is already extinct, and has been so for around 150 million years. Back in 2006, scientists uncovered several fossils in the Svalbard Islands . The dig there has taught us a great deal about the creatures that once swam the Arctic Ocean. It has uncovered several new species, including two new Ichthyosaurs, a new Plesiosaur, some invertebrates, and a gigantic creature known as Predator X.  They knew that this massive marine monster was probably a Pliosaur, but it took several years of analysis to confirm that the bones belonged to a new species. The official report came out just this past month. We know now that  Pliosaurus funkei was something new because it had longer front paddles, differently shared vertebrae, and differently spaced teeth. It may have grown as large as 40ft long, and had a skull n...

Thalassomedon hanningtoni Thalassomedon is one crazy looking sea reptile! These members of the Plesiosaur order lived 95 million years ago and have necks that make up half of their overall body length and contain 62 vertebrae ! Thalassomdeon means "Sea Lord," and while they weren't the most frightening creature of the late Cretaceous (I'm looking at you Mosasaur) they certainly looked to be great ambush hunters. The eyes of the Thalassomedon were very large and were located on the tops of their heads. They used those large eyes and long skinny necks to ambush schools of fish that were swimming above them. Interestingly, it is unlikely that the Thalassomedon could stick its head far above water; air does not support the weight the same way that water does. Status :  Extinct for 95 million years Location :   North America Size :  Body Length around 40ft (12m) Classification :  Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : †Plesiosauria Fami...