7" Ichthyosaurus Fossil Jaw Bone Section Dorset England Jurassic Marine Reptile COA
Location: Dorset, England (Dorset Coast)
Weight: 1 Pound 11.6 Ounces
Dimensions: 7 Inches Long, 2.9 Inches Wide, 1.5 Inches Thick.
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Upper Jurassic Age, 145 Million Years old.
Ichthyosaurs were fast-swimming marine reptiles that dominated the oceans during the Early Jurassic period, around 145 million years ago. Their name, derived from Greek and meaning “fish lizard,” reflects their fish-like appearance, despite being reptiles that breathed air. Early discoveries in England during the nineteenth century brought these animals to scientific attention, with the term Ichthyosaur first formally introduced by Charles König in 1818. Fossil hunter Mary Anning played a key role in uncovering some of the most important early specimens, helping shape early understanding of these remarkable creatures.
During the 1800s, most ichthyosaur fossils were assigned to the genus Ichthyosaurus, which by the turn of the twentieth century included over fifty named species. These reptiles were superbly adapted for life at sea, possessing streamlined bodies designed for speed and agility. Movement through the water was powered by strong tail strokes, while fins and short, paddle-like fingers provided stability and control.
Despite their aquatic lifestyle, ichthyosaurs were air-breathing predators, belonging to the reptilian group Ichthyosauria. A typical Ichthyosaurus grew to about 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length and weighed roughly 200 pounds, similar in size to an adult human. Its jaws contained rows of fine, sharply pointed teeth, ideal for catching fish and squid-like cephalopods that flourished in Jurassic seas.
With their dolphin-like shape and efficient swimming style, ichthyosaurs stand as one of the clearest examples of evolutionary adaptation to marine life, demonstrating how reptiles repeatedly evolved body forms suited to high-speed pursuit in open oceans.
