Styxosaurus

Styxosaurus is an extinct species of marine reptile from the end of the Late Cretaceous period millions of years ago. Styxosaurus was a common plesiosaur in the waters of prehistoric South Dakota, where it fed on a variety of vertebrates, such as fish. They grew up to 40 feet (12 meters) long.

It lived alongside creatures like the more famous Dolichorhynchops. Its closest relative was Plesiosaurus from the Jurassic period. 

 Other animals at the time 
When Styxosaurus existed, so did Tylosaurus, Elasmosaurus, Archelon, Hesperornis, Xiphactinus, and Megacephalosaurus.

 Media 
Styxosaurus has appeared in Jurassic World video games and the documentary film Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure. 

It also appeared in the film King Kong, where it was named as an Elasmosaurus in the movie. Plesiosaurus is a species of plesiosaur that appeared in the film Son of Kong, though it was named once again as Elasmosaurus. 

In 2024 Mattel released a toy Styxosaurus.

References

Category:Plesiosaurs
Category:Marine reptiles
Category:Extinct species