Description
Fossilised 18cm Plesiosaur Vertebrae, Cretaceous, approx 95 million years old
A large near complete 18cm Plesiosaur vertebrae from the Kem Kem Beds in Morocco. The vertebrae found in this location can be difficult to identify but are predominantly from the plesiosaur this one appears to be a elasmosaurus.
The plesiosaur was not a dinosaur but a ferocious, carnivorous, marine reptile. They had an exceptionally small head and a long slender neck. Their body was broad with two pairs of large flippers or paddles and a short stumpy tail. These creatures swam in the oceans between 205 million and 65 million years ago. During that span of 140 million years numerous types evolved. Plesiosaur gave birth to live young in shallower water. Some of the largest fossils indicate that the biggest individuals grew up to 15 metres. With the largest of these huge marine reptile weighing 30 tons or more. They are thought to have fed on everything from belemnites and clams and also fish and other reptiles.
Bearing in mind that these fossils from Morocco date back to the Cretaceous age and thus many millions of years old they are rarely in perfect condition. It is often necessary for restoration work to be done. This does not however detract from what is a fine display piece.
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