Cetiosaurus

/ˌsiːtɪoʊˈsɔːrəs/ noun

Definition

A genus of large, long-necked marine reptiles from the Jurassic period that superficially resembled whales in body shape.

Etymology

From Latin 'cetus' (whale) + Greek 'sauros' (lizard). A descriptive name based on the animal's whale-like appearance rather than direct evolutionary relationship.

Kelly Says

Cetiosaurus was one of the first marine reptiles ever scientifically named and described in the 1800s—discovering such a massive creature in ancient rocks helped revolutionize how people understood Earth's history and lost worlds.

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