Chelon
Chelon is a genus of extinct marine reptiles belonging to the order Plesiosauria. They were large, long-necked marine reptiles that lived during the Early Cretaceous period (approximately 145 to 100 million years ago). Fossils of *Chelon* have been found in Europe, North America, and South America.
Common Names
No common names are associated with *Chelon*.
Characteristics
Chelon species were characterized by their long necks, small heads, and paddle-like limbs. They are believed to have been powerful swimmers and probably hunted fish and other marine life. Like other plesiosaurs, they had a short, broad body, and a tail that was relatively small compared to their overall body size. Their four flippers were large and powerful, adapted for swimming. The skull of *Chelon* was relatively small, with a long snout and sharp teeth. Their long necks, much like those of other plesiosaurs, are considered to have been a highly effective hunting tool, allowing them to maneuver their heads into tight spaces and snatch prey.
Environment
*Chelon* inhabited marine environments, likely preferring shallower coastal waters. Their fossils have been found in a variety of environments, including marine sediments, indicating their presence in open ocean, coastal areas, and perhaps even freshwater lagoons.
Species
There are three recognized species within the genus *Chelon*:*Chelon saurophagus: The type species, named by the renowned paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh in 1890. Its remains have been found in the Western Interior Seaway of North America. *Chelon emarginatus: Described by Marsh in 1890, this species is known from fossils found in the United States.*Chelon planiceps: This species, first identified in 1926 by the paleontologist Charles Whitney Gilmore, is known from fossils found in the English chalk formations.
References
For further information about *Chelon*, please visit the following websites:* Wikipedia - Chelon (plesiosaur)* PaleobioDB - Chelon