Thalassomedon is among the largest elasmosaurids, with a total length of 10.86 metres (35.6 ft) for the holotype.
There is a larger skull however suggesting a much larger animal, potentially up to 11.7 metres (38 ft).
The neck is also very long; it comprises 62 vertebrae and is about 5.9 metres (19 ft) - over half of the total length.
The skull is 47 centimetres (19 in; 1.54 ft) long, with 5 centimetres (2.0 in) long teeth.
The flippers were about 1.5–2 metres (4.9–6.6 ft) long.
Stones have been found in its stomach area leading some to theorize that they were used for ballast or digestion.
If the latter, stomach action would cause the stones to help grind ingested food.
Thalassomedon is among the largest elasmosaurids, with a total length of 10.86 metres (35.6 ft) for the holotype. There is a larger skull however suggesting a much larger animal, potentially up to 11.7 metres (38 ft). The neck is also very long; it comprises 62 vertebrae and is about 5.9 metres (19 ft) - over half of the total length. The skull is 47 centimetres (19 in; 1.54 ft) long, with 5 centimetres (2.0 in) long teeth. The flippers were about 1.5–2 metres (4.9–6.6 ft) long. Stones have been found in its stomach area leading some to theorize that they were used for ballast or digestion. If the latter, stomach action would cause the stones to help grind ingested food.
Thalassomedon