Name:

Askeptosaurus (Greek for "stickless lizard"); pronounced ah-SKEP-toe-SORE-us

Habitat:

Shallow seas of western Europe

Historical Period:

Middle Triassic (235-225 million years ago)

Size and Weight:

About 6 feet long and 50-75 pounds

Diet:

Fish

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Long, slender body; narrow head; long tail

 

About Askeptosaurus:

Askeptosaurus is yet another pre-plesiosaur marine reptile that has proven difficult to classify; technically, it's assigned as a thalattosaur, a family of aquatic diapsid reptiles that had a near-worldwide distribution during the early to middle Triassic period (diapsid reptiles are identified by the two characteristic holes in their skulls).

While it probably wasn't the speediest swimmer of the western European seas, Askeptosaurus did possess a long, eel-like body and undulating tail, which made up somewhat for its stubby, distinctly unhydrodynamic legs. This marine reptile also had "sclerotic rings" around its eyes, an adaptation for coping with high water pressures--a hint that Askeptosaurus dived deep into the drink in search of its prey.