Cryptoclidus

Live reconstruction of Cryptoclidus

• Europe

Cryptoclidus ( "hidden clavicle " ) is a genus of plesiosaur from the group of Cryptoclididae. Because of the numerous fossil finds, even in young animals, from marine sediments of the middle and late Jurassic ( Callovian to Oxfordian ) before approximately 166-157 million years ago Cryptoclidus is one of the best known plesiosaurs.

Locations

Cryptoclidus is mainly known from the Oxford clay of England, which is one of the richest deposits of fossil marine saurians of the world. In addition Cryptocleidus was also found in France, other members of the family Cryptoclididae we know from America.

Description

Cryptoclidus had a slightly flattened skull, which was shaped with a long neck into the body. He had four fins that resemble those of modern sea turtles, and a short tail, which was probably used for steering. He was more than 8 feet long.

Nutrition

From Tricleidus, a relative of Cryptoclidus from the Upper Jurassic of America, fossil stomach contents are known which consist of squid and the remains of a shark. Sharks probably were not among the usual prey, but squid can already accept this, as they were also found in the stomachs of other plesiosaurs.

The stones Swallow

Probably swallowed Cryptoclidus larger stones. This could have several reasons. One of the buoyancy: Since the air-filled lungs of Cryptoclidus the body given rise, the diving was difficult. The stones in the stomach offset the buoyancy of the air, as in the recent crocodiles. Another function could have been the crushing of food in a gizzard, because with his pointed, needle-like teeth could not chew the animal. The stomach stones ( Gastrolithe ) zermalten the food and thus assisting digestion. This behavior is also suspected in sauropod dinosaurs.

Enemies

The juveniles of Cryptoclidus were probably hunted by sharks and Pliosauriern. When the animals were fully grown, only Pliosaur as Liopleurodon and Pliosaurus were indeed a risk.