Tanystropheus is an extinct group of reptiles that lived during the Triassic Period, around 245 to 201 million years ago. Fossils have been discovered in places like Europe, Asia, and North America.
One of the most striking features of Tanystropheus was its long neck, which was made up of 13 vertebrae. This neck was even longer than its body and tail combined! This unique anatomy made it very special among reptiles.
Tanystropheus is part of a family called Tanystropheidae, which includes other reptiles with long necks that lived during the Triassic. Some species of Tanystropheus could reach lengths of up to 6 meters, or approximately 20 feet. It is considered the longest of its kind.
The type species, or the first named member of the genus, is called T. conspicus, which is a name given to the large fossils found in Germany and Poland. However, many fossil remains belong to two other species: T. longobardicus from Italy and Switzerland and T. hydroides.
Fossils from Monte San Giorgio, which is a famous fossil site on the border of Italy and Switzerland, have shown that Tanystropheus lived near water, indicating it might have relied on aquatic environments. These reptiles often had stiff necks, suggesting they spent a lot of time in the water or along coastlines.
The size of Tanystropheus varied by species. T. longobardicus was smaller, reaching about 2 meters or 6.6 feet, while T. hydroides was larger and had different types of teeth, allowing it to eat larger prey compared to T. longobardicus.
Tanystropheus was not only mythical in its appearance but was also a skilled ambush predator. Its teeth were shaped to hold slippery fish, which likely formed a major part of its diet.
Understanding how Tanystropheus lived helps scientists piece together the history of life on Earth during a time when dinosaurs were just beginning to rise. The long necks of these reptiles highlight the diversity and complexity of adaptations that occurred during the Triassic, as organisms explored new ways of hunting and living in their environments.