Ichthyosaurs (Ancient Greek for "fish lizard" - ιχθυς/ichthys meaning "fish" and σαυρος/sauros meaning "lizard") were giant marine reptiles that resembled fish and dolphins. Ichthyosaurs thrived during much of the Mesozoic era; based on fossil evidence, they first appeared approximately 245 million years ago and disappeared about 90 million years ago, about 25 million years before the dinosaurs became extinct.
Ichthyosaurs that appear in the Jurassic Park franchise:
- Ichthyosaurus
- Shonisaurus
- Eurhinosaurus
- Ophthalmosaurus
- Cymbospondylus
- Shastasaurus
- Mixosaurus
- Chaohusaurus