Fauna
Species · GBIF taxon 8530027

Lariosaurus

Nothosaurus juvenilis

Also known as Larius Lizard

Lariosaurus was a sleek, amphibious predator of the shallow Tethys Ocean lagoons during the Middle Triassic. Its elongated body propelled through coastal waters via undulatory swimming, steered by paddle-like forelimbs while hindlimbs retained distinct digits suited for hauling out onto rocky shores. Sharp, interlocking teeth formed a specialized snare designed to trap slippery prey such as schooling fish and coleoid cephalopods.

AquaticFossil
Lariosaurus reference
Licensed referenceWikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Small actinopterygian fish
  • Belemnoid cephalopods
  • Juvenile pachypleurosaurs
Predators
  • Large nothosaurs
  • Early ichthyosaurs
  • Semi-aquatic archosaurs
ThreatsExtinct; natural evolutionary pressures and late Triassic environmental shifts
HabitatsWarm shallow epicontinental seas, coastal lagoons, and rocky shorelines
Life spanEstimated 10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilyNothosauridae
  2. SpeciesNothosaurus juvenilis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Extinct prehistoric reptile known only from Triassic fossil deposits.
Responsible observation
  • Museum observation: Study articulated slab fossils in natural history museums to examine its five-toed paddle anatomy.
  • Fossil hunting etiquette: Follow local Alpine and Chinese fossil protection laws strictly, leaving bedrock specimens to professional paleontologists.
Related species
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