KIMMERIDGE, UK – A largely preserved skull of an enormous and lethal marine reptile, known to have roamed the waters off England’s coast millions of years ago, has been discovered by scientists. This prehistoric beast, known as a pliosaur, would have been an intimidating sight for any swimmer.
The skull alone of this marine reptile measures around six feet, giving an insight into the sheer size of this ancient sea monster. The pliosaur had a third eye, known as a parietal eye, and glands on its snout, which are believed to have aided it in locating its prey. With 130 teeth and a bite force surpassing that of a crocodile, it would have been a formidable predator, preying on other reptiles and even its own kind.
Despite their existence during the era of dinosaurs, pliosaurs are more closely related to lizards or snakes. One expert likened the pliosaur to an “underwater T. rex,” due to its predatory nature and size.
The newly discovered fossil is one of the most complete pliosaur skulls ever unearthed. It will be showcased in a BBC One special hosted by David Attenborough on New Year’s Day, and will be aired in the U.S. on PBS on February 14th.
The fossil was initially spotted by Phil Jacobs, a friend of paleontologist Steve Etches, during a beach walk near Kimmeridge Bay in Dorset, along England’s World Heritage Jurassic Coast. After months of excavation from a nearby cliffside and careful cleaning, the skull will be displayed next year at the Etches Collection Museum in Kimmeridge.
Etches believes there’s more of the fossil still embedded in the quickly eroding cliffs. He expressed his excitement and anticipation for the potential discovery, stating, “I stake my life the rest of the animal is there.”