erineteid

Erineteid is a genus of large, extinct marine reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 99 to 66 million years ago. They are known from fossil remains found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Erineteids were among the largest marine reptiles, with some species reaching lengths of up to 15 meters (49 feet). They had a long, slender body, a large head with a beak-like snout, and powerful flippers. Their teeth were conical and serrated, adapted for crushing hard-shelled prey such as mollusks and crustaceans.

Erineteids are believed to have been semi-aquatic, spending much of their time in the water but also capable of walking on land. They likely fed on a variety of marine organisms, including fish, squid, and other marine reptiles. Their remains have been found in marine deposits, suggesting they were adapted to a fully marine lifestyle. The genus Erineteid is named after the type species Erinaceus, which was first described by the German paleontologist Friedrich von Huene in 1932. The name Erinaceus is derived from the Greek words erinos, meaning "hedgehog," and kephalos, meaning "head," referring to the spiny texture of the skull.

Erineteids are an important group in the study of marine reptile evolution, providing insights into the diversity and adaptations of large marine predators during the Cretaceous period. Their fossils have been found in various geological formations, including the Hell Creek Formation in the United States and the Wealden Formation in the United Kingdom. Despite their size and importance, erineteids are relatively rare in the fossil record, with only a few species and genera described to date.