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Ichthyosaurus Facts for Kids

Ichthyosaurus Facts for Kids

  • Common Name: Ichthyosaurus
  • Animal Type: Aquatic Reptilian
  • Type Species: Ichthyosaurus communis
  • Total Species: 6
  • Diet: Carnivorous (Ate Meat)
  • Period: Early Jurassic Period
  • Description: An Aquatic Reptilian Predator

20 Ichthyosaurus Facts For Kids

  1. The Ichthyosaurus was a marine reptilian that lived between the Late Triassic Period and Early Jurassic Period.
  2. The Ichthyosaurus is not a dinosaur, it is an Ichthyosaur and a member of the Ichthyosauria order.
  3. Ichthyosaurus was a medium-sized aquatic predator.
  4. The Ichthyosaurus was carnivorous and ate other marine animals.
  5. You pronounce the name Ichthyosaurus by saying: “IK-thee-ouh-sor”.
  6. The meaning of the dinosaur name Ichthyosaurus is “fish lizard”.
  7. There are six species of Ichthyosaurus recognized by paleontologists.
  8. The type species for the Ichthyosaurus is Ichthyosaurus communis.
  9. The other five species of Ichthyosaurus are I. anningae, I. breviceps, I. conybeari, I. larkini, and I. somersetensis.
  10. English paleontologist Mary Anning was the first person to discover an Ichthyosaurus specimen in 1814.
  11. English paleontologists Henry De la Beche and William Conybeare together were the first people to scientifically described the Ichthyosaurus in 1814.
  12. The holotype specimen for Ichthyosaurus was lost in 1974 and has not yet been found.
  13. The Ichthyosaurus was estimated to have an average body length between 6 and 11 feet.
  14. The Ichthyosaurus was estimated to have an average body weight between 100 and 500 pounds.
  15. The swimming speed of the Ichthyosaurus is estimated to have been around 25 miles per hour.
  16. The lifespan of the Ichthyosaurus is estimated to have been between 40 and 80 years.
  17. The Ichthyosaurus is believed to have inhabited prehistoric Atlantic Ocean.
  18. You would have been able to identify the Ichthyosaurus by their elongated dolphin-like body, pointed snout, and fish-like tail.
  19. Fossil evidence have been discovered that proves the Ichthyosaurus gave birth to live babies, instead of laying eggs.
  20. Paleontologists believe the Ichthyosaurus evolved from land-dwelling reptiles that returned to the water.

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Ichthyosaurus Pictures

There is a saying that claims a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true then the below images will help you with your research on the Ichthyosaurus. The below you will find three pictures related to the Ichthyosaurus dinosaur. These pictures should give you a bettering understanding of the Ichthyosaurus and what it may have looked like.

Ichthyosaurus Fossil Specimen

A picture of a Ichthyosaurus fossil specimen.

Two Ichthyosaurus Underwater

A picture of two Ichthyosaurus underwater.

Ichthyosaurus Hunting Prey

A picture of a Ichthyosaurus hunting prey.

Ichthyosaurus Resources

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