Dolichorhynchops (SciiFii)

Dolichorhynchops oceanum (name meaning "ocean long-nosed face") is a species of polycotylid plesiosaur that originally lived from the Late Cretaceous (early Turonian to late Campanian stage) of North America, as three extinct species, Dolichorhynchops osborni, Dolichorhynchops bonneri and Dolichorhynchops tropicensis, as well as a questionably referred fourth species, Dolichorhynchops herschelensis, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and, unlike most Mesozoic marine reptiles, have been introduced throughout the world's oceans to help boost biodiversity. Dolichorhynchops oceanum is an oceangoing reptile with a short neck unlike most other plesiosaurs and uses its long, paddle-like flippers to fly through the water like a penguin. Dolichorhynchops oceanum is quick and agile underwater acrobats, with large eyes well adapted to spying small prey. Long, narrow jaws filled with 30 to 40 sharp teeth in a single row allow Dolichorhynchops oceanum to grab its prey but not cut it. Instead, the captured fish are swallowed whole. Dolichorhynchops oceanum is a rather average-sized animal, growing on average of between 12 to 15 feet (4 to 5 meters) long and is covered in smooth skin. It is a social animal that can live in pods of up to around 30 individuals at a time. Like other plesiosaurs, the female Dolichorhynchops oceanum gives birth to around 1-3 young at a time, rather than laying eggs as in most reptiles, due to being fully aquatic. The conservation status of Dolichorhynchops oceanum is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the animal's wide range and its tolerance to most of human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii