Ophthalmothule

Ophthalmothule lived right at the end of the Jurassic and start of the Cretaceous, about 149 to 137 million years ago.3

Its name means 'eye of the north' because it had very large eye sockets and was found in the far north.12

This plesiosaur is one of the youngest cryptoclidids known from the Boreal region, along with Abyssosaurus.12

The holotype specimen includes a nearly complete skull and parts of the body, which is rare for cryptoclidid plesiosaurs.2

Ophthalmothule had a long neck with all its neck bones found still connected, helping scientists study how plesiosaurs moved their necks.2

Its large eyes may have helped it see better in dim light, either in deep water or while hunting at night.12