orthios

Orthios is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. These creatures lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 80 to 70 million years ago. Orthios fossils have been discovered primarily in North America. The genus is characterized by its relatively long neck and powerful flippers, typical of plesiosaurs, which would have allowed for agile movement in prehistoric seas.

Details about the specific anatomy and lifestyle of Orthios are still being researched based on limited fossil evidence. However, it is understood that they were carnivores, likely preying on fish and other small marine organisms. The classification of Orthios within the Plesiosauria order places it among a diverse group of long-necked marine reptiles that dominated the oceans for millions of years. Understanding Orthios contributes to our broader knowledge of marine ecosystems and the evolutionary history of reptiles during the Mesozoic Era.