Ichthyosaur – “Jurassic Mom” (Stenopterygius quadriscissus)

Early Jurassic, Toarcian Age. Posidonia Shale, Holzmaden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. One of the most magnificent sea-reptiles was the “fish-lizard” ichthyosaur. Advanced fish-lizards like this Stenoptergius achieved the highest level of adaption to life in the open ocean. They spent their entire lives in the ocean and never came on land, even to lay eggs. We can tell from the tail shape that Stenopterygius was as fast as the fastest shark alive today. This piece is called “Jurassic Mom” because the remains of baby stenopterygius can be seen between her ribs. She died while she was pregnant, and the remains of her young are preserved inside of her.