Ichthyosaurus

It was smaller than many other ichthyosaurs. The largest species, I. somersetensis, reached about 3 to 3.3 metres (9.8 to 10.8 feet) long, while other species like I. communis were only about 2 metres (6.6 feet) long.1

It ate fish and squid-like animals called cephalopods, especially belemnites. It was a fast swimmer that chased and grabbed its food with its teeth.1

No, it gave birth to live babies in the water. Fossils show pregnant females with tiny Ichthyosaurus inside them, so they never came onto land to lay eggs.1

No, it was a marine reptile called an ichthyosaur, not a dinosaur. Dinosaurs lived on land, while Ichthyosaurus lived in the ocean.3

Probably up to about 46 km/h (29 mph), as fast as a car driving in town! This is an estimate from its size. It swam like a tuna, with a strong tail, and could swim very quickly to chase prey.1

It lived during the Early Jurassic Period, about 201 to 174 million years ago. Fossils have been found in Europe, especially in England, Germany, and Portugal.1

No, it breathed air like a dolphin or whale. It had to come to the surface to breathe, even though it lived its whole life in the ocean.4

It had large eyes to help it see well while hunting. It relied mostly on its sense of sight, possibly along with smell, to find fish and squid.1