What is Plesiosaurus?
{{speciesbox | name = ''Plesiosaurus'' | fossil_range = [[Jurassic|Early to Late Jurassic]], {{Fossil range|199.6|175.6}} | image = Plesiosauria.png | image_upright = 1.1 | image_caption = An animated model of a male ''Plesiosaurus''. | display_parents = 3 | genus = Plesiosaurus | parent_authority = [[William Daniel Conybeare|Conybeare]], 1821 | authority = Conybeare, 1824 | species = dolichodeirus }} [[File:Anning Plesiosaur.png|thumb|right|230px|Illustration of one of Anning's finds: a subadult female ''Plesiosaurus.'']] '''''Plesiosaurus''''' was a large marine reptile from the Early to Late Jurassic period. It is one of the most famous plesiosaurs of all time. The first specimen discovered by [[Mary Anning]] in 1820-21 was missing its [[skull]]. She found it on the [[Jurassic Coast|Jurassic coast]] of [[Lyme Regis]], [[Dorset]], England. In 1823 she found another one, this time complete with its skull. The name ''Plesiosaurus'' was given by the Rev. William Conybeare. ''Plesiosaurus'' was a [[predator]], living mostly on [[fish]] and [[belemnite]]s. It would [[swim]] through [[school]]s of [[fish]] and use its long [[neck]] and sharp [[teeth]] to [[snap]] them up. ''Plesiosaurus'' was a fairly typical member of its order, and measured around 3 to 5 metres (10 to 16 ft) in total length. The snout was short, but the jaws were able to open very wide, and had a series of conical teeth in sockets. The neck was quite long, and the short tail was used for steering. Like all plesiosaurs, it used its large paddles to swim. Only two [[species]] are known, and the genus existed for about 25 million years from the beginning of the [[Jurassic]] period. Scientists have wondered whether ancient reptiles like pleisiosaurs were [[warm-blooded]] or [[cold-blooded]]. Scientists from the University of Plymouth studied many animals of different sizes from insects to whales that dive and hold their breath. They found that larger animals can hold their breath longer than smaller animals because they can store more oxygen. Th