Dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is one of the richest dinosaur localities in Europe, with over 20 species of dinosaur having been recognised from the early Cretaceous Period (in particular between 132 and 110 million years ago), some of which were first identified on the island, as well as the contemporary non-dinosaurian species of crocodile, turtle and pterosaur. Compton Bay, near Freshwater features dinosaur footprints which are visible at low tide. Geological strata. The Isle of Wight has layers of the Vectis and Wealden fossil-bearing beds exposed on the southern half of the  island. These are revealed in the cliffs of Yaverland, close to Sandown, and at Hanover Point and Whale Chine, along the southwestern coast. The Cretaceous habitat. The island's dinosaurs come from the Wessex Formation, which dates from between 125 and 110 million years ago (mya). During this time the Isle of Wight, then located on a latitude at which North Africa resides today, had a subtropical environment and was part of a large river valley complex, which ran along the south coast of England to Belgium. It was a world of ponds, rivers and swamps, so it had conditions  favourable for the formation of fossils. Animal remains from this time include crocodiles, turtles, pterosaurs, mammals and possibly some birds. In the water were snails, fish and mussels. As this environment did not change much, over the course of 10 million years, a large number of fossils were formed, so the island today is a very rich source. List of dinosaur species and genera. Unless otherwise specified, the following is a list of dinosaurs for which almost complete skeletons have been found on the island. There are also many more species, known only from a single or very few bones . Other meanings. Dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight (Palaeontological Association, 2001) , is also the title of a field guide to dinosaurs found on the island, by Darren Naish and David Martill.