Microsoft Dinosaurs
Peloneustes
Peloneustes
Peloneustes

pel-oh-NYOO-steez name means “Clay swimmer”

A pint-sized ocean ambush predator with jagged teeth and a taste for coiled mollusks

KindPrehistoric creature Period Late Jurassic Diet Carnivore

This marine reptile probably hunted by hiding and waiting for its prey to swim by, and then pouncing quickly and snagging the victim with its jagged teeth. Peloneustes was a small pliosaur—only about ten feet long—with four powerful flippers and a short neck.

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Ammonite Eater

Ammonite Eater

Ammonites, or coiled mollusks, were a favorite food of pliosaurs like Peloneustes. Scientists have deduced this from studying fossil shells with holes punched in them by the sharp teeth of pliosaurs.

Crowded conditionsAmmonites were plentiful during the Age of Dinosaurs. They once lived in great numbers, which explains why they are packed so tightly here.
Long Heads, Short Necks

Long Heads, Short Necks

Shown here are two other members of the pliosaur family, Kronosaurus and Macroplata. Like Peloneustes, they had powerful paddle-like flippers which they use to propel themselves through the water.

Pliosaurs vs plesiosaursPliosaurs have longer heads and shorter necks than plesiosaurs, another type of marine reptile. Muraeonosaurus, a plesiosaur, found it easy to float in the sea because of its air-filled lungs. As opposed to pliosaurs, plesiosaurs had a long neck topped by a tiny head.

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Shonisaurus Mosasaurus Macroplata

Source: Microsoft Dinosaurs (1993) CD-ROM. Text liberated from original screen art; images & audio restored from disc. Original media is Microsoft/supplier copyright — non-commercial educational preservation. Credits & Acknowledgements