Mary Anning, only 11 years old, found the first Ichthyosaur in 1810 in Dorset, England. This particular Ichthyosaur was prepared by the American Museum of Natural History of New York City. Ichthyosaurs were dolphin “look-alikes”. The downward bend in the tail was originally believed to be a broken tail.  It was soon discovered, however, that this bend in the tail was necessary to support the vertical tail fin.

Although they were reptiles, the fossil evidence suggests their young were born live, as are baby whales.   The amazing thing about this fossil is that it was fossilized while apparently birthing its young!  There is a newborn beneath the tail, one still in the birth canal and an unborn in the womb.  This is an indication of rapid burial due to a significant catastrophe.