Electric plesiosaurs

[BlueKrono]

One of the most interesting explanations I've ever heard of for plesiosaurs' (and Tanystropheus's) long but inflexible necks. A tantalizing possibility, given the range of hunting tactics displayed in extant animals. With the soft tissue not being preserved, is this really that strange of an idea, given the evidence?

https://heteromeles.com/2013/02/23/shocking-necks/

[Halichoeres]

That's pretty interesting. At least some fishes have osteological indications of their electric-ness, but I'm not sure how you'd look for that. I'm not aware of any obvious indication that a dolphin or platypus can detect electric fields.

[GasmaskMax]

As much as its an interesting idea and purely wild speculation, I highly doubt this theory is true. Funny idea though and it would explain a lot .

[stargatedalek]

I doubt they would be able to generate a substantial defensive amount of electricity, such as say an electric eel (for lack of a less obvious example), but electrolocation has some good potential. I seem to recall something about potential "burrow raiding" behavior of digging fishes or invertebrates, and that would definitely match up.

[DinoToyForum]

I included (and illustrated) this hypothesis in my own article on the topic of long necks in plesiosaurs: http://plesiosauria.com/news/index.php/why-did-elasmosaurids-have-such-a-long-neck/

[GasmaskMax]

I included (and illustrated) this hypothesis in my own article on the topic of long necks in plesiosaurs: http://plesiosauria.com/news/index.php/why-did-elasmosaurids-have-such-a-long-neck/

XD