CollectA Liopleurodon - Giant Pliosaur Marine Reptile Figurine #88237

The Smooth-Sided Tooth - Apex Predator of Jurassic Seas!

The CollectA Liopleurodon #88237 brings one of the most powerful marine predators of the Jurassic Period to life with exceptional detail. This massive pliosaur featured enormous jaws, protruding teeth, and a streamlined body built for speed and power. CollectA's expertly sculpted replica captures every detail of this fearsome ocean hunter, from the realistic skin texture to the menacing teeth that made Liopleurodon the apex predator of its time.

Smooth-Sided Tooth - The Name Says It All

Liopleurodon, meaning "smooth-sided tooth," lived approximately 160-155 million years ago during the Middle to Late Jurassic Period in the seas that covered what is now Europe. This massive pliosaur (a type of marine reptile) was a fast-swimming apex predator with a highly developed sense of smell. The forward-facing position of its nostrils allowed Liopleurodon to track prey through the water with remarkable accuracy.

Key Features

• Protruding Teeth: Accurately depicts the fearsome teeth jutting from powerful jaws
• Realistic Skin Texture: Detailed hide texture brings the marine reptile to life
• Streamlined Body: Shows the hydrodynamic shape built for speed
• Powerful Flippers: Large paddle-like flippers for propulsion and maneuverability
• Scientifically Accurate: Based on fossil discoveries from Europe
• Hand-Painted Detail: Expert coloring with natural marine reptile tones
• Museum-Quality Sculpting: 6.9"L x 1.9"H figurine captures pliosaur proportions
• CollectA Excellence: Exceptional detail at an affordable price

Air-Breathing Marine Hunter

Like modern whales and dolphins, Liopleurodon was an air-breathing marine reptile that had to surface regularly for gulps of air. Despite living entirely in the ocean, pliosaurs never developed gills - they retained lungs from their land-dwelling ancestors. This meant Liopleurodon spent its life swimming between the depths where it hunted and the surface where it breathed.

Perfect For

• Marine reptile and pliosaur collectors
• Jurassic Period dioramas and displays
• Educational collections about prehistoric marine life
• Collectors seeking non-dinosaur Mesozoic animals
• Imaginative play featuring ocean predators
• Pairing with other marine reptiles
• Young paleontology enthusiasts ages 3 and up
• Fans of Jurassic sea monsters

Highly Developed Sense of Smell

One of Liopleurodon's most remarkable adaptations was its exceptional sense of smell. The forward-facing position of its nostrils allowed it to detect chemical gradients in the water, essentially "smelling" the direction prey was located. This gave Liopleurodon a significant hunting advantage, allowing it to track prey over long distances through murky Jurassic seas.

Fast and Powerful Swimmer

Liopleurodon was built for speed and power. The four large, paddle-like flippers provided both propulsion and incredible maneuverability, allowing this predator to chase down fast-swimming prey or execute quick turns during attacks. The streamlined body reduced drag, while powerful muscles drove the flippers through the water with devastating force.

The Pliosaur Family

Liopleurodon belonged to the pliosaurs, a group of marine reptiles characterized by short necks, massive heads, and powerful jaws. Unlike their long-necked plesiosaur cousins, pliosaurs were built for speed and power rather than agility. They were the apex predators of Jurassic and Cretaceous seas, filling the ecological niche that sharks and killer whales occupy today.

Educational Value

This Liopleurodon figurine offers excellent educational opportunities about marine reptiles, ocean ecosystems during the Jurassic Period, and how reptiles adapted to life in the sea. Children and adults can learn about pliosaurs, the difference between marine reptiles and dinosaurs, and the diversity of Mesozoic ocean life.

Jurassic European Seas

During the Middle to Late Jurassic Period, much of Europe was covered by warm, shallow seas. Liopleurodon ruled these waters, hunting fish, squid, and other marine reptiles. These ancient seas were teeming with life - ammonites, belemnites, ichthyosaurs, and long-necked plesiosaurs all shared the ocean with this apex predator.

Not a Dinosaur!

Despite often being grouped with dinosaurs, Liopleurodon was actually a marine reptile - specifically a pliosaur. While dinosaurs ruled the land, pliosaurs like Liopleurodon dominated the oceans. They were part of a separate evolutionary lineage that adapted to ocean life, developing flippers, streamlined bodies, and powerful jaws for hunting marine prey.

Protruding Teeth for Gripping Prey

Liopleurodon's teeth were designed for gripping rather than chewing. The smooth-sided, conical teeth protruded from the jaws and interlocked when the mouth closed, creating a cage that prevented slippery prey from escaping. Once caught in those jaws, prey had no chance of escape - Liopleurodon would swallow it whole or tear it apart with powerful head shakes.

CollectA Prehistoric Life Collection

Part of CollectA's renowned Prehistoric Life collection, this Liopleurodon represents the company's commitment to scientific accuracy and depicting the full diversity of prehistoric marine life. CollectA works with paleontologists to ensure their replicas reflect the latest scientific discoveries about pliosaurs and other marine reptiles.

Pairs Beautifully with Other Marine Reptiles

Display this Liopleurodon alongside other Jurassic marine reptiles like long-necked plesiosaurs or ichthyosaurs to create authentic ancient ocean scenes, or pair it with Jurassic dinosaurs to show the diversity of Mesozoic life across different environments.

Safe for Young Paleontologists

Made from high-quality, non-toxic materials, this marine reptile figurine is safe for children ages 3 and up. The durable construction withstands active play while maintaining its detailed features, making it perfect for both display and hands-on prehistoric adventures.

About CollectA: CollectA is renowned worldwide for creating scientifically accurate, highly detailed prehistoric animal replicas. Their Prehistoric Life collection features dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and prehistoric mammals that reflect the latest paleontological research.

Specifications: Liopleurodon in swimming pose | Hand-painted with realistic skin texture | Protruding teeth | Powerful flippers | 6.9"L x 1.9"H | 0.375 lbs

Period: Middle to Late Jurassic (approximately 160-155 million years ago)

Location: Europe (England, France, Germany, Russia)

Diet: Carnivore (fish, squid, marine reptiles)

Classification: Marine reptile (pliosaur)

Item #: 88237

Ages: 3+ years