What was the ichthyosaurs habitat?
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What was the ichthyosaurs habitat?
Ichthyosaurs lived in the oceans, probably near the surface (they had large eyes, which would be unnecessary is they spent a lot of time diving into the dark depths of the oceans. They did not move about on land.
When did the ichthyosaurs live?
251 million to 65.5 million years ago
Ichthyosaurs had a very wide geographic distribution, and their fossil remains span almost the entire Mesozoic Era (251 million to 65.5 million years ago); but they were most abundant and diverse during the Triassic and Jurassic periods (251 million to 145.5 million years ago).
Why are ichthyosaurs not dinosaurs?
Ichthyosaurs were not dinosaurs, but represent a separate group of marine vertebrates. Because ichthyosaurs were so specialized and modified for life in the ocean, we don’t really know which group of vertebrates were their closest relatives.
When did ichthyosaurs first appear on Earth?
about 250 million years ago
Ichthyosaurs were fish-like reptiles that first appeared about 250 million years ago and quickly diversified into highly capable swimmers, filling a broad range of sizes and ecologies in the early Mesozoic oceans.
How did ichthyosaurs adapt?
Although ichthyosaurs were air breathers, meaning they still needed to come to the surface of the water to breathe like whales and dolphins, they were particularly well-adapted for life at sea. Their fins were so modified that they were unable to leave the water and no ichthyosaurs were capable of walking on land.
What did the ichthyosaurs eat?
Edit. Ichthyosaurs were predatory. They lived in the sea, so they ate any food they could find, catch, and kill, including squid, fish, and shellfish. They were very good at catching food.
Where did ichthyosaurs lay eggs?
Ichthyosaurs are reptiles that gave birth to live young. Yes, unlike turtles, they did not come ashore to lay eggs. We know this because ichthyosaurs have been found with preserved embryos inside. Not only that, a couple have even been found in the process of giving birth!
