Queasy plesiosaurs swam to shore to vomit, Jurassic fossils reveal

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Add as preferred source Artist's impression of plesiosaurs feeding on the sea floor [AI-assisted image]. Credit: Lente Artemieff Plesiosaurs swam into river deltas to vomit up shells and other indigestible elements of their marine meals, suggests new research published by Cambridge University Press. The behavior resembles that of today's fur seals and marine crocodiles.

Previous research into plesiosaur anatomy and movement suggests the iconic long-necked marine reptile angled its head down to collect shellfish from the seafloor. The animal couldn't crush shells or other skeletal material with its teeth, it is thought, so its stomach compacted it to be vomited as pellets, as animals including owls do today.