Discosaurus

Dis-ko-sore-us.
By John Stewart
Published on

John Stewart

Paleoecologist

John Stewart is a distinguished paleoecologist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems. With over two decades dedicated to unearthing fossils across Asia and Africa

Cite Feedback Print

Cite This Article

Stewart, J. (2015, March 7). Discosaurus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/discosaurus/

copy

Name

Discosaurus.

Phonetic

Dis-ko-sore-us.

Named By

J.‭ ‬Leidy‭ ‬-‭ ‬1851.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Sauropterygia,‭ ‬Plesiosauria.

Diet

Piscivore.

Species

D.‭ ‬vetustus‭

Size

Unavailable.

Known locations

Santonian of the Cretaceous.

Time Period

USA,‭ ‬Alabama.

Fossil representation

Partial remains of two species.

In Depth

       Discosaurus is a genus of plesiosaur that is known to have swam in the waters of the Western Interior Seaway during the late Cretaceous.

Further Reading

-‭ [‬Descriptions of a number of fossil reptiles and mammals‭] ‬.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia‭ ‬5:325-328.‭ ‬-‭ ‬J.‭ ‬Leidy‭ ‬-‭ ‬1851. – On Discosaurus and its allies.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Proceedings Academy National Sciences Philadelphia‭ ‬1870,‭ ‬p.‭ ‬18‭)‬.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Dr.‭ ‬J.‭ ‬Leidy‭ ‬-‭ ‬1870.

Adopt A Species
prehistoric-wildlife new logo

Love this species?

Adopt it today!

(UPDATED!)

Learn More

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

© 2025 Prehistoric-Wildlife, All Rights Reserved

The information here is completely free for your own study and research purposes, but please don't copy the articles word for word and claim them as your own work. The world of prehistory is constantly changing with the advent of new discoveries, and its best if you use this information as a jumping off point for your own research.