Stenopterygius sp.

This specimen, like the one on display on the other side of the lectern, is an ichthyosaur of the genus Stenopterygius. It was found in Holzmaden, Germany. It is a female carrying the remains of an embryo(s) in its abdomen. Parts of the animal’s ribs have been removed to allow us to see then more clearly. Stenopterygius females could bear up to ten young. The babies were born tail first to avoid drowning.

Stenopterygius were very fast swimmers with habits similar to those of living dolphins even though they are unrelated. Ichthyosaurs were reptiles whereas dolphins are mammals. They spent most of their lives in the open sea hunting fish, cephalopods and other animals.

Medium-sized, they measured barely 4 meters in length. Their skull had an elongated rostrum equipped with teeth which, in adults, were few in number and quite small in size.