Platypterygius (SciiFii)

Platypterygius atlanticus is a species of ichthyosaur of the family Ophthalmosauridae that originally lived in the seas during the Early Cretaceous all the way to the earliest Late Cretaceous as several extinct species of Platypterygius and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and, unlike most other Mesozoic-type marine reptiles, have been intentionally introduced throughout the modern world's oceans to help boost biodiversity. Platypterygius atlanticus is a rather large ichthyosaur, usually growing to be about 7 metres (23 feet) in length on average and weighing almost as much as an orca. There are more digits in its front flippers than is usual in ichthyosaurs; they are tightly bound in rows, giving a broad, flat appearance. This unusual characteristic gives the genus its name, meaning 'flat wing.' Furthermore, some of the wrist bones have disappeared entirely in this genus. Unlike most other ichthyosaurs, Platypterygius atlanticus is entirely deaf due to the specializations in its skull. Despite this, Platypterygius atlanticus can navigate its way around with its extremely large, sensitive eyes and a strong sense of smell. Unlike most ichthyosaurs, Platypterygius atlanticus is an apex predator, similar to orcas, and can feed on fish, squid, sea turtles, seabirds, smaller fully-aquatic reptiles, small marine mammals, and even carrion. It is a solitary animal that prefers to spend throughout most of its life alone except during the breeding seasons. The conservation status of Platypterygius atlanticus is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the animal's wide range.