head - Fossilised animal - Ichthyosauria - 15 cm

Name: Ichthyosauria

Head size: 12cm

Era: Mesozoic (Jurassic to Early Cretaceous)

Discovery: From marine strata in southwestern China

Preservation: Exquisitely complete, with clear structures and a strong three-dimensional appearance of the skull

Fossil Characteristics:

This specimen is a well-preserved ichthyosaur skull fossil, displaying typical ichthyosaur anatomical features, including:
A slender, pointed, and streamlined snout, advantageous for high-speed swimming and predation in the ocean;
Large orbital structures, suggesting that the ichthyosaur may have had deep-sea vision or the ability to hunt in dim conditions;
Bone textures are clearly visible, with rich detail and natural preservation;
The specimen is lightly compacted, with some areas still retaining a three-dimensional appearance.

Ichthyosaurs were top predators in the Mesozoic oceans, known as the "Velociraptors of the Sea." They resembled modern dolphins in appearance, but evolved along a completely different path. They were among the earliest reptiles to adapt to a fully aquatic lifestyle.