Besanosaurus | |
---|---|
Kingdom: |
Animalia |
Phylum: |
Chordata |
Class: |
Reptilia |
Order: |
†Ichthyosauria |
Family: |
†Shastasauridae |
Genus: |
†Besanosaurus |
Species: |
†B. leptorhyncus (type) |
Besanosaurus was a genus of Ichthyosaur from the Triassic Period.
Description[]
Besanosaurus was a medium sized ichthyosaur measuring 6 meters (19 feet) in length. Its body was a similar in shape to that of a dolphin. Besanosaurus had a long, thin snout, and relatively small teeth. Like other Shastasaurids, Besanosaurus lacked the dorsal fin found in more advanced ichthyosaurs. It had a straight tail and therefore, would have swam with an eel-like motion at moderate speeds through the Triassic seas.
Diet[]
Like all ichthyosaurs, Besanosaurus was carnivorous, preying on cephalopods and small fish.