Scharfensteins

Scharfensteins are a group of extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 230 to 200 million years ago. They are known for their distinctive, sharp teeth, which are the source of their name, derived from the German word for "sharp" and "stone." Scharfensteins are part of the order Plesiosauria, which includes other marine reptiles like plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs.

The most well-known genus of Scharfenstein is Scharfensteinia, which was first described in 1870 based on fossil remains found in Germany. Scharfensteinia was a small to medium-sized marine reptile, with an estimated length of about 3 meters. It had a long, slender neck and a small head, which was equipped with sharp, conical teeth. The teeth were likely used for capturing and crushing prey, such as fish and other small marine animals.

Scharfensteins are important fossils because they provide valuable insights into the evolution of marine reptiles and the marine ecosystems of the Late Triassic period. Their sharp teeth and slender bodies suggest that they were active predators, playing a significant role in the food chain of their time. However, due to their small size and the rarity of their fossils, Scharfensteins are not as well-known as some other marine reptiles from the same period.