Pliosaurus funkei is an extinct species of marine reptile belonging to the pliosaur group. It lived during the Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. It was discovered in 2012 in the Lower Saxony region of Germany and was named after the brothers Oliver and Simon Funke, who funded the research.
Pliosaurus funkei was a large marine predator and one of the largest known pliosaurs. It is estimated that it reached a length of around 12 to 15 meters, although some studies suggest that it could have been even larger. It had a robust body and a large head with powerful jaws that allowed it to catch and devour sizable prey.
One of the most distinctive features of Pliosaurus funkei were its teeth, which were extremely large and robust. These sharp, pointy teeth indicate that it was a highly specialized carnivore and probably ate mainly fish and other marine reptiles. In addition, it had a wide-opening jaw, allowing it to open its mouth exceptionally wide for biting and swallowing large prey.
Although Pliosaurus funkei was an agile and powerful swimmer, it is believed that it also spent some of its time in shallower water, as fossils have been found in coastal areas. It was probably a top predator in its ecosystem and had few competitors due to its size and ferocity.
The description of Pliosaurus funkei is based on the fossils found, which include skulls, jaws, and vertebrae. These fossilized remains have provided invaluable information about the anatomy and behavior of this impressive marine reptile from the past.
Approximate measurements of the Pliosaurus:
- Scale 1:72 - 210 mm long (2 pieces)
- Scale 1:35 - 425 mm long (4 pieces)
- Supports in transparent
