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TANYSTROPHEUS
(tan-ee-stro-fee-us )
meaning: "Long strap"
Tanystropheus
Named By: Christian Erich Hermann von Meyer in 1852
Time Period: Middle Triassic, 245-228 Ma
Location: Europe, Middle East and China
Size: 6 meters long
Diet: unavailable
Fossil(s): Several Skeletons, many preserved juveniles from Besano Formationin in Italy
Classification: | Chordata | Reptilia | Diapsida | Archosauromorpha | Prolacertiformes | Tanystrophidae |
Also known as: | Tribelesodon | Procerosaurus |
About

Tanystropheus (Greek tanus "long" + strophaeus "vertebra"), was a 6 metre (20 ft) long reptile that dated from the Middle Triassic period. It is recognizable by its extremely elongated neck, which measured 3 metres (10 ft) long - longer than its body and tail combined. The neck was composed of 12-13 extremely elongate vertebrae Fossils have been found in Europe, the Middle East and China. Complete skeletons of juvenile individuals are most abundant in the Besano Formation of Italy, dating to 232 million years ago during the middle Triassic period (Ladinian stage).

Read more about Tanystropheus at Wikipedia
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