This Post Is Recently Updated on Dec 11, 2023 @ 22:42 pm by TBB Desk
Paleontologists have unearthed a remarkable discovery from the cliffs of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast in South West England – a 2-metre-long skull of a pliosaur, a giant sea predator that roamed the oceans 150 million years ago. This fossil, one of the most complete of its kind, is providing groundbreaking insights into this ancient underwater creature.
The pliosaur skull, equipped with 130 razor-sharp teeth, hints at the creature’s formidable hunting capabilities, capable of delivering a fatal bite in a single strike. Local paleontologist Steve Etches described the fossil as one of the best he has ever encountered, lauding its completeness as a rare and unique feature.
Dr. Andre Rowe from Bristol University compared the pliosaur to an underwater version of the T. rex, the iconic dinosaur species from the Late Cretaceous period. The pliosaur, measuring between 10-12 metres in length and possessing four powerful flipper-like limbs, has been characterized as the ultimate killing machine of its time.
The discovery process involved a drone survey pinpointing the likely location of the fossil on a towering cliff face, followed by a challenging excavation operation. The recovery and cleaning of the skull, carried out by experts suspended 15 meters above a beach, has yielded successful results.
Palaeobiologist Prof Emily Rayfield’s examination of the skull revealed the pliosaur’s extraordinary biting force of about 33,000 newtons, surpassing that of even the formidable saltwater crocodile. The fossil also indicated that the pliosaur possessed acute sensory abilities, with snout pits likely used for detecting changes in water pressure created by prey and a parietal eye on its head for enhanced light sensitivity, aiding in hunting in murky waters.
This discovery not only sheds light on the physical attributes and predatory behaviors of pliosaurs but also enriches our understanding of marine life during the Jurassic period.
