What is dolichorhynchops?

Dolichorhynchops is an extinct genus of marine reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 80-70 million years ago. They belonged to a group of plesiosaurs known as elasmosaurs and had long, slender necks and paddle-like limbs.

These reptiles were carnivorous predators that likely fed on fish and other small marine creatures. They roamed the seas of the Western Interior Seaway, a large body of water that split North America in half during the Late Cretaceous.

Dolichorhynchops grew to lengths of around 15-20 feet and had a streamlined body shape that helped them swim efficiently through the water. They had long jaws filled with sharp teeth, which they used to catch and eat their prey.

Fossil remains of Dolichorhynchops have been found in places like Kansas, Wyoming, and South Dakota in the United States. Studies of these fossils have provided valuable information about the anatomy, behavior, and evolution of these fascinating marine reptiles.