Omphalosaurus fossil map
Where fossils of Omphalosaurus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 252 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 252 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Ichthyosaurs |
|---|---|
| Lived | 248.6–237 million years ago |
| Periods | Triassic |
| Family | Omphalosauridae |
| Named by | Merriam 1906 |
| Fossil records | 6 occurrences at 6 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Germany, Poland, Svalbard and Jan Mayen |
| Rock formations | Prida, Lercheck Limestone, txn:38873, Karchowice, Vikinghøgda |
About Omphalosaurus
Omphalosaurus (from Greek, meaning "button lizard", for their button-like teeth) is an extinct genus of marine reptile from the Early Triassic to Middle Triassic. It is a member of the ichthyosauriform family Omphalosauridae. Most of what is known about Omphalosaurus is based on multiple jaw fragments, ribs, and vertebrae. Specimens of Omphalosaurus have been described from the western United States, Poland, Austria, and the island of Spitsbergen off the northern coast of Norway.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Omphalosaurus (revision 1380929668), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q2908667.
