CollectA Hydrotherosaurus Plesiosaur - Water Beast Lizard 40 Feet California #88139

The Water Beast Lizard from California!

The CollectA Hydrotherosaurus #88139 brings one of California's most fascinating marine reptiles to life with exceptional detail. This long-necked plesiosaur glided through the ancient seas of the Late Cretaceous with its distinctive paddle-like flippers and flexible serpentine neck. CollectA's expertly sculpted replica captures every detail of this 40-foot marine predator, from the lifelike skin texture to the protruding teeth that made Hydrotherosaurus a formidable hunter.

California's Water Beast

Hydrotherosaurus alexandrae, meaning "water beast lizard," lived approximately 70-65 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous Period in the shallow seas that covered what is now California. Growing up to 40 feet long and weighing around 10 tons, Hydrotherosaurus was one of the largest plesiosaurs to inhabit the ancient Pacific Ocean. The name honors its aquatic lifestyle and the beast-like appearance that made plesiosaurs the "sea monsters" of their time.

Museum-Quality Detail & Scientific Accuracy

• Long flexible neck - serpentine neck characteristic of plesiosaurs
• Paddle-like flippers - four powerful flippers for swimming
• Protruding teeth - sharp teeth for catching fish and squid
• Lifelike skin texture - detailed scales bring this marine reptile to life
• Streamlined body - hydrodynamic shape for efficient swimming
• Hand-painted details - realistic coloring for a marine predator
• Paleontologist approved - reviewed by expert Anthony Beeson
• Model #88139 - part of CollectA's Prehistoric Marine Life series

A Complete Fossil with Stomach Contents!

The Hydrotherosaurus fossil discovered in California is remarkably complete—a nearly intact skeleton that even preserves remains of the creature's last meal in its stomach! This extraordinary preservation allows scientists to know exactly what Hydrotherosaurus ate: fish and other marine animals. Such complete fossils are extremely rare and provide invaluable insights into the lifestyle and diet of these ancient marine reptiles.

Not a Dinosaur - A Marine Reptile

Despite often being called a "dinosaur," Hydrotherosaurus was actually a plesiosaur—a marine reptile that lived alongside dinosaurs but belonged to a completely different group. While dinosaurs ruled the land, plesiosaurs like Hydrotherosaurus dominated the oceans. These air-breathing reptiles had to surface regularly to breathe, much like modern whales and dolphins.

The Long-Necked Hunter

Hydrotherosaurus's most distinctive feature was its extremely long, flexible neck, which could contain up to 60 vertebrae! This serpentine neck allowed the plesiosaur to strike quickly at fish and squid, using its sharp, interlocking teeth to grasp slippery prey. The four paddle-like flippers provided powerful propulsion through the water, while the streamlined body reduced drag for efficient swimming.

Swimming Through Ancient California Seas

During the Late Cretaceous, much of California was covered by a shallow inland sea teeming with marine life. Hydrotherosaurus shared these waters with mosasaurs, sea turtles, ammonites, and countless species of fish. As an apex predator, Hydrotherosaurus played a crucial role in the marine ecosystem, hunting fish and squid in the warm Cretaceous seas.

Discovered in California

Hydrotherosaurus fossils were discovered in California, making it one of the state's most important prehistoric finds. The nearly complete skeleton provided paleontologists with detailed information about plesiosaur anatomy, swimming mechanics, and diet. This California connection makes Hydrotherosaurus particularly special for West Coast fossil enthusiasts and collectors.

How Plesiosaurs Swam

Unlike fish that use their tails for propulsion, plesiosaurs like Hydrotherosaurus used their four large flippers in a unique "underwater flying" motion, similar to how sea turtles and penguins swim today. The flippers moved in a figure-eight pattern, providing both forward thrust and maneuverability. This swimming style made plesiosaurs agile hunters capable of quick turns and bursts of speed.

Authentic CollectA Craftsmanship

CollectA's attention to detail is evident in every aspect of this Hydrotherosaurus replica. The long flexible neck is accurately proportioned, the paddle-like flippers are properly positioned, and the skin texture reflects current scientific understanding. Measuring 7.5 inches long by 2.4 inches high, this figurine is perfect for display, educational purposes, or imaginative prehistoric ocean adventures.

All CollectA models are crafted from high-quality, phthalate-free, lead-free materials that are safe for ages 3 and up. The durable construction ensures this impressive marine reptile will be treasured for years to come.