Another interesting debate in paleontology, is plesiosaur swimming motion. Plesiosaurs are those long-necked, four-flippered marine reptiles that resemble the legendary Loch Ness Monster. There was also a group of short necked plesiosaurs with large crocodile-like heads,called pliosaurs.
Paleontologists have long debated how these ancient marine reptiles swam. Some say since there flipper shape is like that of a penguin wing, most feel that they flew through the ancient seas like modern penguins do. Others feel that had a flipper motion more like of a sea-lion, due to their body shape, which they feel wold make it harder for the animal to swim like a penguin.
I for one favor the sea lion motion, because since they are such large animals a penguin style of swimming would cause a great loss of energy. Plus there body shapes are more like that of a seal or sea-lion than a penguin's body shape. The plesiosaurs with the long-necks would also have better propulsion and steering thru the water column if they swam sea-lion style. Their long necks could also manuver them better if they swam this way. Which way do you think these ancient marine reptiles swam? I look foward to reading your comments.
Paleontologists have long debated how these ancient marine reptiles swam. Some say since there flipper shape is like that of a penguin wing, most feel that they flew through the ancient seas like modern penguins do. Others feel that had a flipper motion more like of a sea-lion, due to their body shape, which they feel wold make it harder for the animal to swim like a penguin.
I for one favor the sea lion motion, because since they are such large animals a penguin style of swimming would cause a great loss of energy. Plus there body shapes are more like that of a seal or sea-lion than a penguin's body shape. The plesiosaurs with the long-necks would also have better propulsion and steering thru the water column if they swam sea-lion style. Their long necks could also manuver them better if they swam this way. Which way do you think these ancient marine reptiles swam? I look foward to reading your comments.