Jurassic World Evolution 2

Easily recognised thanks to its unusual, eel-like appearance, the aquatic reptile Nothosaurus first lived around 210-240 million years ago and can grow up to seven metres in length. This genus has paddle-like fins and webbed toes that allow it to swim at high speeds, while its sharp needle teeth and strong jaws make it an efficient hunter.

One of the largest turtles ever to have existed, Archelon measures almost 5m in length and weighs as much as three tonnes. Dating back to the late Cretaceous period, this carnivorous reptile has a sharp beak and powerful flippers, making it an expert hunter. Unlike most modern-day turtles, its shell is soft – although it is tough enough to withstand attacks from predators. The name Archelon translates from ancient Greek as ‘first turtle’.

Dunkleosteus dates back to the late Devonian period and is the apex predator of its environment, with a set of powerful jaws that allow it to rip through even the best armoured prey. This genus gets part of its name from its blunt, bony head (‘osteus’ is the Greek word for bone), and can grow up to 10m in length and weigh in excess of four tonnes.

Shonisaurus is an ichthyosaur from the late Triassic period and is notable for its incredible size – it is one of the largest marine reptiles in history, growing up to 15m in length and nearly 30 tonnes in weight. This genus has a slim body and a long snout, and is a relatively slow swimmer despite having large flippers. While a juvenile Shonisaurus displays small teeth, these grow out by the time the genus reaches adulthood.