Prehistoric Models: Placodonts

Placodontia meaning “tablet teeth” are Triassic age marine reptiles that are classified as Sauropterygia meaning “lizard flippers”, related to plesiosaurs and pliosaurs. Placodonts have been found in China, Europe, Middle East, and North Africa. Fossil remains show Placodonts were generally three to six feet long, with the largest being a little under ten feet in length.

Kingdom: Animalia – Phylum: Chordata – Superclass: Tetrapoda – Class: Reptilia – Clade: Diapsida – Clade: Sauropterygia – Clade: Placodontia – Family: Henondontidae

(placodonts)

Middle to Late Triassic Period