Marine Reptile with Four Babies - An Astounding Discovery

Marine Reptile with Four Babies - An Astounding Discovery
Ichthyosaurus quadriscissus
Late Jurassic, Lower Toarcian
Holzmaden, Germany
Though ichthyosaurs have been found with fetal remains, it is extremely rare for the babies to be preserved with their mother. The present specimens – mother with four babies – exhibit superb preservation. Three babies are preserved outside her body while one was never born and remains in the mother's belly as a disarticulated skeleton. Displaying a bodyline similar to that of today's dolphin – and occupying the same ecological niche - ichthyosaurs (meaning fish lizard) inhabited the open seas during the Mesozoic, enjoyed their peak during the Jurassic and became extinct by the Mid-Cretaceous. Possessing both paddles, or, flippers, and fins, ichthyosaurs propelled themselves with a rapid side-to-side motion of the tail, achieving speeds of up to forty miles per hour. The fins were probably used for stabilization and steering and the paddles for lift, but neither were likely used for propulsion. Ichthyosaurs did not lay eggs as did other reptiles and dinosaurs. Instead, they gave birth to live young at sea. The present specimen is a phenomenal, incomparable example of a fascinating extinct animal, which could provide the cornerstone of a distinguished collection. The babies range in size from 19 ½ to 22 inches. The length of the adult specimen is 83 ½ inches. Matrix measuring 104 x 45 1/2in