marine reptiles

Marine reptiles are a diverse group of ancient creatures that lived in the oceans during the Mesozoic Era, roughly between 250 to 65 million years ago. They include well-known groups like plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, and mosasaurs, which evolved from land-dwelling reptiles. These animals were adapted to life in water, featuring streamlined bodies, flippers, and specialized features for hunting aquatic prey. Unlike dinosaurs, they didn’t share direct ancestry with modern reptiles, such as lizards or snakes. The extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period led to their disappearance, marking the end of an era in marine life.