Prehistoric Earth: A Natural History Wiki
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Ophthalmosaurus (name meaning "Eye Lizard") is a genus of Ichthyosaur that originated during the Middle Jurassic period in what is now North America and Europe. Measuring 6 meters long and named for its extremely large eyes, this medium-sized, fish-like marine reptile possessed a dolphin-shaped body and its almost toothless jaw was well adapted for catching squid.

In the episode "Cruel Seas," a school of ten adult Ophthalmosaurus and several pups were rescued from Late Jurassic Europe, 149 million years ago. They reside in the Primeval Aquarium Enclosure.

Facts[]

Era & Discovery[]

Ophthalmosaurus lived during the Middle to Late Jurassic period, from 165 – 145 million years ago. It was a prey item for many sea creatures, including Hybodus, Metriorhynchus, and even the giant Liopleurodon. Ophthalmosaurus was first discovered by Harry Seeley in 1874.

Physical Attributes[]

Ophthalmosaurus had a graceful dolphin-shaped body. They measured 14 – 20 feet (4.5 – 6 m) long and weighed 1 – 2 tons (2,000 – 4,000 lbs.), very different from the eel-like shapes of earlier Ichthyosaurs, such as Cymbospondylus, and its almost toothless jaw was well adapted for catching squid. Nevertheless, it was a speedy pursuit predator.

Ophthalmosaurus was a sea reptile that had streamlined, fish-like bodies. These are the oldest of marine reptiles and were perfectly adapted to aquatic life. However, unlike adults, Ophthalmosaurus pups had prominent teeth. This allowed them to cope with a variety of tough prey among the coral, but Ammonite shells were too tough for them.

Behavior & Traits[]

Like many fish of the 21st century, Ophthalmosaurus lived in schools of hundreds of individuals. Ophthalmosaurus adults (males and females) were masters of hunting at night. With their enormous light-sensitive eyes, they could pick out squid in the darkest parts of the ocean. Their long toothless snouts are streamlined weapons, making it easy for them to snap up fast-moving prey.

OphthalmosaurusIcenius-NaturalHistoryMuseum-August23-08

Ophthalmosaurus skeleton

Females came from deeper water to give birth to their offspring. While most marine reptiles swam towards land to lay eggs, Ophthalmosaurus instead gave birth to live young. A single female had between two to five pups, but because they were air breathers, the young had to be born tail first –– if not, they would have drowned in the time it took them to escape from their mother's womb. New-born pups only had a few seconds to reach the surface and take their first breath.

From the moment they were born, Ophthalmosaurus pups were vulnerable. The Jurassic waters were full of predators and even adult Opthalmosaurus ate the offspring of others to increase the chance of survival of their own pups. The only real safety was among the crags of coral. Coral reefs in the Late Jurassic seas were full of baby Ophthalmosaurus. Intricate network of caves was their refuge, a safe haven from which they can start to learn about their new world.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

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