Ichthyosaur Vertebrae on matrix

Lovely little fossilised Ichthyosaur vertebrae, still in their original host rocks.

Ichthyosaurs lived during the Mesozoic, 261-65.5 million years ago - however, these specimens are all from the Lower Lias shale of Lavernock, dating to the Jurassic.

These vertebrae are rather small, considering - in all likelihood, they are mostly from juveline animals.

One important thing that often confuses new purchasers - Ichthyosaurs were not dinosaurs! They were aquatic reptiles, which looked a little like modern-day Porpoises.

 

These pieces were bought from a collector, with the last piece dated 2010 - so for any local collectors, it may still be possible to find pieces like this in Lavernock.