What is Euryapsida?

Once upon a time, reptiles were the kings of the Earth. They were the most dominant animals. However, thousands of reptiles became extinct, or died out completely. Euryapsida is a subclass of extinct reptiles. These reptiles had a single opening on the upper part of the skull, behind the eye socket. Eurapsids are further divided into four orders or groups. The Araeocelidia had long necks, and they lived on the land. Sauropterygians had long necks, a small head, and short wide bodies. They swam using flipper like limbs, and ate fish.

 A small group of reptiles ate snails and other molluscs. They were heavy bodied with long tails, and had broad flat teeth for crushing shells. This order is known as Placodontia. Ichthyosaurs of the final order were fish eaters. They had paddle like limbs, a fin on the back, and a fish like tail. Scientists have found an ichthyosaur fossil containing a baby ichthyosaur. So, we know that ichthyosaurs gave birth to young ones.