Collection: Plesiosaur

Plesiosaurs are a group of large marine reptiles that first appeared a little over 200 million years ago before going extinct 66 million years ago. Though they are often called "swimming dinosaurs", Plesiosaurs weren't dinosaurs at all. Their closest living relatives are believed to be turtles. Like sea turtles, Plesiosaurs had four flippers of similar size. The most famous type of Plesiosaur is the Elasmosaur, known for their small heads and long necks, the long necks being one of the big reasons these animals are confused for dinosaurs. Unlike the herbivorous long neck dinosaur, long neck Plesiosaurs (really all Plesiosaurs) were carnivores and hunted pretty much whatever would fit in their jaws.