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Shonisaurus
Temporal range: Late Triassic
Shonisaurus BW 2
A restoration of Shonisaurus popularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Ichthyosauria
Infraorder: Shastasauria
Family: Shastasauridae
Genus: Shonisaurus
Camp, 1976
Binomial name
Shonisaurus popularis
Camp, 1976

Shonisaurus was a genus of large carnivorous marine reptiles, belonging to the order Ichthyosauria and the family of Shastasauridae. The genus consists of only one species, S. popularis. It lived from 216-203 MYA.

Shonisaurs thrived during the Late Triassic Period and were among the first Ichthyosaurs, as well as the largest, though their relative Shastasaurus was probably even bigger. The diet of these ichthyosaurs probably consisted of fish, ammonites, and smaller marine reptiles.

Shonisaurus reached around 50 feet in total body length and fed on fish, squids, and smaller marine reptiles. They lived throughout the Triassic Period in the seas that covered what is now the state of Nevada in the United States of America.

Description[]

History[]

Bonebed interpretation[]

In popular culture[]

  • Shonisaurus was one of the aquatic creatures in Jurassic Park Builder.
  • Shonisaurus can be bought in Dino Pets.
  • Shonisaurus appeared on Dinosaur Train.
  • Shonisaurus appeared on the documentary film Sea Rex: Journey to a Prehistoric World.
  • Shonisaurus makes an appearance in Jurassic World Evolution 2 via the Prehistoric Marine Species Pack released on August 10th, 2023.

Gallery[]

Shonisaurus/Gallery

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