Plesiosaurus (near to lizard) is a mid-sized marine reptile from Europe. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon.
Description[]
Plesiosaurus is a member of the plesiosauroids, a group of marine reptiles identifiable by their small heads, long and slender necks, broad body, four elongated paddle-like limbs and short tail. These reptiles are known throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods; Plesiosaurus itself lived during the early Jurassic Period in what is now England and is one of the earliest members of its family. Compared to later plesiosauroids, Plesiosaurus was comparatively small, reaching lengths of 3.5m (11ft) in length. Most of its length was made up of its neck, which contained anywhere from 38 to 42 cervical vertebrae.
Like most marine reptiles of its time, Plesiosaurus was a hunter, preying on clams, sea snails, fish and belemnites, prehistoric invertebrates closely related to modern squid. Its sharp teeth interlocked, which would have trapped any prey that it caught. It is possible that its long neck would have helped it intercept fast-moving fish. Predators of Plesiosaurus may have included the closely related pliosaurs, which had larger heads and shorter necks.
Zoo Tycoon[]
Plesiosaurus is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Dinosaur Digs expansion pack. It must be researched in order to be adopted.
Plesiosaurus is an Aquatic animal and requires a large amount of salt water in its exhibit, with a small amount of sand and dirt to rest on. Its favorite foliage is the Horsetail.
With the introduction of Marine Mania, Plesiosaurus was updated to use tanks, allowing it to swim underwater.
 Animal Facts
|
|---|
| Before dinosaurs became as rare as they are today, they shared the earth with other large reptiles like the Plesiosaur, or "near lizard." However, this reptile's size and teeth can attract a zoo visitor as well as the fiercest dinosaur.
Unlike predators like Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex, Plesiosaurus is an ocean dweller. This marine reptile is equipped with two powerful pairs of flippers. Plesiosaurus can use its flippers to propel itself through the water in several different ways. By pushing down on one pair and pulling up with the other it can travel longer distances at a steady speed. To put on a sudden burst of speed, it can use both pairs at once, moving them together. This action causes the Plesiosaurus to bob up and down while traveling rapidly though the water, much like a porpoise. Many land-dwelling dinosaurs consumed gastroliths (otherwise known as smooth rocks) to help digest their food, but Plesiosaurs used them as ballast to help balance themselves in the water. This is important because these animals can grow up to nine feet long and weigh 200 pounds. Because of their great size and aquatic nature, Plesiosaurus travel slowly and awkwardly on land. Since a pregnant Plesiosaurus is not an animal to be crossed, no one knows exactly how these animals give birth. They may give birth to live young in the water, tail first to prevent suffocation, like many large aquatic animals, or they may come ashore and dig nests on sandy beaches, much like the more common great sea turtles. The Plesiosaurus is built to be a carnivore. Its small head has a pointed snout, filled with long, curved and pointed teeth. Unlike smaller aquatic carnivores, which rely on hiding and waiting for fish to come to them, Plesiosaurus is an active hunter. Plesiosaurus moves quickly through the water in pursuit of teleosts (a type of bony fish), squid, and other small prey. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- In Dinosaur Digs, Plesiosaurus is shown being able to walk on land, laying eggs and holding its neck in a swan-like position whilst swimming, based on descriptions known at the time. It is now known that Plesiosaurus's neck was not flexible enough to hold upright, and so it would have swam with its neck held straight out. It has also since been shown that Plesiosaurus was not able to move on land and would have given birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
- The Orangutan is the only animal the Plesiosaurus will attack that cannot be placed in a tank.
- The Plesiosaurus and the Loch Ness Monster both have the same terrain requirements, the only difference being that Plesiosaurus uses salt water instead of fresh water.