Thursday, March 14, 2024

Elasmosaurus platyurus

 

From Wiki- Elasmosaurus (/ɪˌlæzməˈsɔːrəs, -m-/[1]) is a genus of plesiosaur that lived in North America during the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous period, about 80.5 million years ago. The first specimen was discovered in 1867 near Fort Wallace, Kansas, US, and was sent to the American paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope, who named it E. platyurus in 1868.  (me now) The plesiosaurs look like true sea monsters, with long necks and a head full of sharp teeth.  They are so unique that their manner of propulsion is still something of a mystery to paleontologists.

This picture is by Samuel W. (Samuel Wendell) Williston, 1851-1918.  The battle between a mosasaur and a plesiosaur something many artists have done.  Williston did a many such renderings, and they are all evocative of a time long past.  I want to do an issue with vintage paleo art drawings.  I think that would be fun, and somewhat educational!

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