Eurypterus

Eurypterus is an extinct <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of <a href="/facts/Eurypterid/w1GHNTAB">eurypterid</a>, a group of organisms commonly called "sea scorpions". The genus lived during the <a href="/facts/Silurian/1qx4epPg">Silurian</a> period, from around 432 to 418 million years ago. Eurypterus is by far the most well-studied and well-known eurypterid. Eurypterus fossil specimens probably represent more than 95% of all known eurypterid specimens.
There are fifteen species belonging to the genus Eurypterus, the most common of which is E. remipes, the first eurypterid <a href="/facts/Fossil/by7NzIA1">fossil</a> discovered and the <a href="/facts/List_of_U.S._state_fossils/fmj5L5nv">state fossil</a> of <a href="/facts/New_York_(state)/mnl67G1G">New York</a>.
Members of Eurypterus averaged at about 13 to 23 cm (5 to 9 in) in length, but the largest individual discovered was estimated to be 60 cm (24 in) long. They all possessed spine-bearing appendages and a large paddle they used for swimming. They were <a href="/facts/Generalist_and_specialist_species/HBajVhNJ">generalist species</a>, equally likely to engage in <a href="/facts/Predation/JEGdrX3f">predation</a> or <a href="/facts/Scavenging/rfMKhUmh">scavenging</a>.

Eurypterus open-in-new

Eurypterus