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Tanystropheus

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Tanystropheus (Wikimedia Commons)

Name:

Tanystropheus (Greek for "long-necked one"); pronounced TAN-ee-STROH-fee-us

Habitat:

Shores of Europe

Historical Period:

Late Triassic (215 million years ago)

Size and Weight:

About 20 feet long and 300 pounds

Diet:

Probably fish

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Extremely long neck; webbed hind feet

About Tanystropheus:

Tanystropheus is one of those ancient reptiles that looks like it came straight out of a cartoon: its body was relatively unremarkable and lizard-like, but its long, narrow neck extended out for a distance of 10 feet. Even stranger (from a paleontological perspective), this creature's exaggerated neck was supported by only 10 extremely elongated vertebrae.

How did Tanystropheus make its living? This is still a matter of some debate, but most researchers think it perched on shorelines and used its narrow neck as a kind of fishing line. However, it's also possible that Tanystropheus led a primarily landbound existence, and fed on smaller lizards perched high up in trees.

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