Fossil reveals 240 million year-old 'dragon' - BBC News

A remarkably complete fossil of a bizarre Triassic reptile in unprecedented detail has been found.

10 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, NATIONAL MUSEUMS OF SCOTLANDBy Victoria GillScience correspondent, BBC NewsScientists have revealed a new, remarkably complete fossil - a 16ft (5m)-long aquatic reptile from the Triassic period.

The creature dates back 240 million years and has been dubbed a "dragon" because of its extremely long neck.

It is called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, a species that was originally identified back in 2003.

This spectacular new fossil has allowed scientists to see the full anatomy of this bizarre prehistoric beast.

Dr Nick Fraser, from National Museums Scotland, who was part of the international team that studied the fossil, said this was the first time scientists had been able to see it in full. He described it as "a very strange animal".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68374520

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