Medions

Medions are a group of extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 231 to 201 million years ago. They are known for their distinctive, elongated snouts and are considered to be one of the earliest known marine reptiles. Medions are characterized by their streamlined bodies, which were adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Their fossils have been found in Europe, particularly in Germany and France, and they are believed to have inhabited coastal areas and shallow seas.

The most well-known species of Medions is Medemysia longirostris, which is known for its exceptionally long snout, measuring up to 1.5 meters in length. This snout is thought to have been used for capturing prey in the water. Other species, such as Medemysia brevirostris, had shorter snouts and are believed to have been more terrestrial in their habits.

Medions are believed to have been cold-blooded reptiles, and their fossils provide valuable insights into the evolution of marine reptiles and their adaptation to aquatic environments. They are considered to be an important link between earlier marine reptiles and the more advanced marine reptiles that followed, such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs. Despite their significance, Medions are relatively rare in the fossil record, and much of our knowledge about them comes from a limited number of specimens.