A little bit like a crocodile, Nothosaurs had a long flat tail and short stumpy legs. Plus it had a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth. Speed and agility helped it ambush fish as well as cephalopods and small reptiles.

Although the water was its natural habitat, it came ashore to sunbathe. And like turtles nowadays, female Nothosaurs hauled themselves well above the high water mark to bury their clutch of eggs.