Jaekelopterus (Jaekel’s wing)

Jaekelopterus

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What is Jaekelopterus?

Jaekelopterus was a colossal, ancient aquatic predator that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. It belonged to a group called eurypterids, often known as "sea scorpions", which are distantly related to modern arachnids like scorpions and spiders. Jaekelopterus was one of the largest arthropods to ever roam the planet’s waters, a true titan of its time.

How big was Jaekelopterus?

Jaekelopterus could grow up to 2.5 metres (over 8 feet) long—about the same length as a small car! Its body was made up of many jointed segments, with a broad, flat tail and large, powerful pincers at the front, making it a formidable presence in prehistoric rivers and lakes.

What did Jaekelopterus eat?

Jaekelopterus was a fierce carnivore. It hunted fish, smaller arthropods, and possibly even other eurypterids. Using its massive pincers, it could grab and crush its prey before eating it.

Jaekelopterus appearance

Jaekelopterus had a long, streamlined body with a tough exoskeleton and many segments. Its most famous features were its huge, spiky pincers and its paddle-shaped tail, which helped it swim quickly through ancient waters. With eyes set high on its head, it was well-adapted to spotting prey.

Jaekelopterus appearance

Where did Jaekelopterus live?

Fossils of Jaekelopterus have been discovered in parts of Europe, especially Germany. It lived in rivers, lakes, and other freshwater environments during the Devonian Period, when much of the world was covered in water and swampy wetlands.

Interesting facts

• Its name means "Jaekel’s wing" after the German palaeontologist Otto Jaekel.
• Jaekelopterus was longer than most humans are tall!
• It lived about 390 million years ago—long before the dinosaurs appeared.
• Jaekelopterus is completely extinct, with only fossils left behind to tell its story.

Jaekelopterus Facts

Pronounced: Jay-kell-OP-ter-us

Name Means: "Jaekel’s wing" (after palaeontologist Otto Jaekel)

Length: Up to 2.5 metres (8 feet)

Diet: Carnivore (meat-eater)

Time: Devonian Period (about 419–359 million years ago)

Fossils Found: Mainly Europe (especially Germany)

Which family of animals did Jaekelopterus belong to?

Jaekelopterus belonged to the family Pterygotidae, a group of large, predatory eurypterids (sea scorpions). These creatures are distant relatives of modern scorpions, spiders, and horseshoe crabs.

What other animals lived at the same time as Jaekelopterus?

Jaekelopterus shared its world with early fish, trilobites, ammonites, armoured placoderms, and other ancient sea creatures during the Devonian Period.

Jaekelopterus FAQ

Q1: What is Jaekelopterus?

A1: Jaekelopterus is an extinct giant sea scorpion (eurypterid) that lived about 390 million years ago. It was one of the largest arthropods ever found.

Q2: What did Jaekelopterus look like?

A2: Jaekelopterus had a long, segmented body with a hard shell, huge pincers, and a broad, paddle-shaped tail.

Q3: How big was Jaekelopterus?

A3: It could reach up to 2.5 metres (8 feet) or more in length.

Q4: What did Jaekelopterus eat?

A4: Jaekelopterus was a predator, eating fish and other aquatic animals.

Q5: Where did Jaekelopterus live?

A5: It lived in the freshwater rivers and lakes of ancient Europe.

Q6: When did Jaekelopterus go extinct?

A6: Jaekelopterus disappeared around 359 million years ago, at the end of the Devonian Period.

Q7: Was Jaekelopterus dangerous?

A7: Jaekelopterus was a top predator in its time, but it lived long before humans ever existed.

Q8: How is Jaekelopterus related to modern animals?

A8: Jaekelopterus is distantly related to today's scorpions, spiders, and horseshoe crabs.

Q9: Who discovered Jaekelopterus?

A9: Jaekelopterus fossils were first described by scientists in the early 20th century.

Q10: Are there any complete skeletons of Jaekelopterus?

A10: Only parts of its exoskeleton and fossilised pincers have been found; the soft tissues did not fossilise.