Ophtalmosaurus

The dolphin of the Jurassic period

The 4-meter tall, dolphin-like Ophtalmosaurus lived in the tropical waters of the Jurassic period . With its streamlined body, it was perfectly adapted to life in the sea.

Ophtalmosaurus had large eyes and excellent eyesight, even in deeper waters. However, it didn't have gills. Therefore, it had to return to the surface every 20 minutes for breathing. Nevertheless, Ophtalmosaurus had little to fear.

The warm seas of the Jurassic period were teeming with food. Ophtalmosaurus mainly hunted smaller fish and octopuses. The few enemies were sharks or Liopleurodon. This carnivorous marine reptile, 7 meters long, was one of the most dangerous predators of the seas. Sharks and Liopleurodon were almost as fast as Ophtalmosaurus.

But with a speed of almost 40 km/h, it was one of the fastest predators of its time. In the Cretaceous period, Ophtalmosaurus was then pushed back by the plesiosaurs, which were becoming more numerous in the sea.