How to recognise them

Vertebrae are very thin in the centre - fingers almost meet in the middle.

Fossil Info

Ichthyosaurs are extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods, from about 250 - 90 million years ago. They ranged in size from 1 - 20 metres long. Their body shape is quite similar to that of a dolphin and they were fierce predators built for speed. Ichthyosaur fossils are extremely rare in Ireland because rocks of the right age are found only in a small part of Northern Ireland, but rare bones have been found in Co. Antrim.

Fun Fact

Ichthyosaurs gave birth to live young. Some fossil ichthyosaurs were pregnant when they died and preserve the bones of the foetus inside the mother's body!