Nothosaurs - Painting by T.R.Hart
Many sightings of the Loch Ness Monster have been reported in the past by witnesses that describe the Plesiosaurs of the Jurassic period. Nothosaurs are thought to have been the ancestors of the Plesiosaurs, but had webbed feet in place of the large paddle-like fins that made their descendants ocean going reptiles. Nothosaurs stayed pretty close to shore and were probably fish-eaters.Nothosaurs were long-necked and long-tailed ranging from a few inches to 20 feet (6 m) long - they were not dinosaurs, but the age of dinosaurs had begun! Nothosaurs had long, thin heads with many sharp teeth.The front teeth were longer than the back teeth. Their nostrils were on the top end of their snouts. They had lungs and breathed air but spent most of the time in the swimming in the water. What do you think about the Loch Ness Monster. Could it still exist? Arrivederci! - Professor Saputello.