(a species of owlet moth (Noctuid)) Some caterpillars, after they emerge from their egg, can increase their weight by 25,000 times.

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Non-dinosaur reptiles

Millions of years ago there lived many weird and wonderful ancient reptiles. Some were aquatic and some lived in the skies and a few looked similar to the mammals living today.

These non-dinosaur reptiles are often mistaken for dinosaurs but they did not have the physical characteristics that define a true dinosaur.

Discover more about some of these non-dinosaur reptiles and see illustrations for each one.

  • Aquatic reptiles
    Aquatic reptiles

    Mosasaurs, ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs were all aquatic reptiles living millions of years ago. Learn about some of the animals in this group below.

  • Flying reptiles
    Flying reptiles

    The flying reptiles are called Pterosaurs. They ruled the skies from the late Triassic Period to the end of the Cretaceous Period. Find out more.

  • Mammal-like reptiles
    Mammal-like reptiles

    Mammal-like reptiles were the prehistoric reptilian ancestors of mammals, and were the dominant land animals around 260 million years ago. Can you see any similarities with modern mammals?

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