Co-organized by the National Natural History Museum of China and the Geological Museum of Guizhou, this exhibition displays about 50 beautifully preserved ichthyosaur fossil specimens. Comprehensive exhibition boards, multimedia videos, and other modern audio-visual forms will introduce ancient extinct life such as ichthyosaurs to the visitors from all aspects and angles, show the exploration process and research methods of scientists discovering ichthyosaurs and other fossils, and reveal the evolution of marine life and the changes of the ecology during the Triassic.

Ichthyosaurs are large marine reptiles that lived from the Triassic to the Cretaceous, and their shape is similar to that of modern dolphins. Ichthyosaurs first appeared about 250 million years ago and became extinct about 90 million years ago. At present, there are more than 100 ichthyosaur species found, with an average body length of 2-4 meters. The largest ichthyosaur can reach 20-25 meters in length and is the top predator in Jurassic oceans.

The fossil specimens displayed in this exhibition mainly come from the Guanling Biota in Guizhou, which was formed in the Late Triassic about 220 million years ago. The exhibits contain a large number of beautifully preserved fossils of crinoids, marine reptiles, fish, and ammonites, which are of great significance for studying paleontology, paleoecology, paleomarine system, and paleogeography of the Late Triassic.

Period: Last until March 17, 2024

Location: National Natural History Museum of China

Translator: WEN Min

Reviewer: JIANG Wenyi