Polycotylus was a Plesiosaur genus under the family Polycotylidae. They had a short neck which led to their classification as a Pliosaur under the superfamily Polycotylidae, and they were closely related to the plesiosaurs.
There are 11 known species of the genus, with Polycotylus latipinnis as the type species. The new species was described properly since a more or less complete skeleton was discovered in 1949 from Alabama after they were identified in Kansas.
A holotype of Polycotylus with one fetus inside was discovered in Kansas in the '80s, and ultimately, the fossil was narrated in 2011.
The fetus length inside the mother was about 40 % the actual length of the mother. This implies that around two-thirds of the gestation of the fetus was complete.
Polycotylus Interesting Facts
How do you pronounce 'Polycotylus'?
The name Polycotylus is pronounced as 'Pol-e-cot-e-lus'.
What type of dinosaur was a Polycotylus?
The Polycotylus was not actually a dinosaur, it coexisted along with many dinosaurs, but they fall under the category of primitive marine reptile. Polycotylus was one of the polycotylid plesiosaurs.
In which geological period did the Polycotylus roam the Earth?
The Polycotylus roamed around the Earth throughout the Upper Cretaceous period in many places around the world. They likely existed from the Turonian up to the Cenomanian age of the Cretaceous period.
When did the Polycotylus become extinct?
The fossils of Polycotylus suggest that they were found during the late Cretaceous era, but there is no information regarding when they became extinct. In North America, they were found discovered from the Tropic Shale of southern Utah.
Where did Polycotylus live?
They were a widespread reptile that was found in the waters of North America, Australia, and Russia during the late Cretaceous.
What was the Polycotyluss' habitat?
The Polycotylus was a marine reptile that lived in the oceans of the Jurassic period and Cretaceous period.
Who did the Polycotylus live with?
Polycotylus showed parental care to their offspring, but whether they hunted in packs is not known.
How long did a Polycotylus live?
The Polycotylus evolved during the Late Cretaceous period, but there is no information on whether they survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.
How did they reproduce?
The actual mechanism behind the reproduction method of Polycotylus and how the juveniles were born are not entirely known to us. Paleontologists believe that the members of plesiosaurs showed tendencies of viviparity (live birth) as the common method of reproduction.
Their bodies were not adapted for movement in the water, so they probably had difficulties laying eggs outside water. They might have given live birth in the water like other marine reptiles in the contemporary period.
Polycotylus Fun Facts
What did the Polycotylus look like?
The Polycotylus was a large reptile with a short tail. They had a broad body, and the long head was connected by a short narrow neck.
They were considered to be the basal polycotylid since they had more neck vertebrae than other polycotylids, which connected them to the long-necked dinosaurs and their humerus was also primitive shape. They had a low crest on their skull, and the long ischia are their distinguishing feature.
*We've been unable to source an image of Polycotylus and have used an image of a T-Rex instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Polycotylus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.
How many bones did a Polycotylus have?
The total number of bones that were present in the body of a Polycotylus is not known. They were previously described from fossil fragments, but later a complete skeleton was discovered.
How did they communicate?
There is no information regarding the communication methods of the Polycotylus. Probably they communicated by vocalizations.
How big was the Polycotylus?
An average Polycotylus was around 16 ft (4.8 m) long, but the size is dependant on the species. However, the species was half the size of the Styxosaurus.
How fast could a Polycotylus move?
Polycotylus dinosaurs were swift swimmers, but as infants, they might have had compromised swimming abilities. Their speed is unknown.
How much did a Polycotylus weigh?
The weight of the Polycotylus is not determined; it depended on the species, just like the length.
What were the male and female names of the species?
The male and the female do not have any particular name. Both of them were called Polycotylus.
What would you call a baby Polycotylus?
Polycotylus gave birth to live young; they were called juvenile Polycotylus.
How aggressive were they?
They were carnivorous or piscivorous reptiles of the sea, so they were probably aggressive. The thick teeth of the reptile with striations on the surface also prove that they were aggressive in nature.
Did you know…
The type species of Polycotylus was named by the American Paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope in 1869.
*We've been unable to source an image of Polycotylus and have used an image of a Pterosaur instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Polycotylus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.
We Want Your Photos!
Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.