SAVAGE ANCIENT SEAS | MONOLOGUES | ELASMOSAURUS platyurus

The "Cope Elasmosaur" was first studied in the 1860's by paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope, who thought the creature's long neck was its tail and placed the head on the wrong end. His colleague, Othniel C. Marsh, publicly pointed out the error, paving the way for the end of their friendship!

Elasmosaurus platyurus

(ee LAZ moh SOAR us)

Description: Marine reptile

Specimen Location: Pierre Shale of Northwestern Kansas

Name Means: "plate-boned lizard" for the large plate bones of the shoulder and pelvis areas.

Elasmosaurus was a member of a group of marine reptiles called Plesiosaurs (PLEEZ ee oh SOARS.) This animal was distinguished by its extremely long neck and tiny head. Elasmosaurus probably ate small fish, squid or ammonites since its small head and narrow neck could have limited the size of prey it could swallow.

Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia
Discoverer: Theophilus Turner