Newly identified ancient Scottish sea monster could probably eat Nessie

Step aside, Nessie. There's a new Scottish sea beast in town

Or, rather, there was. About 170 million years ago.

A team of paleontologists has identified a new species of the sea-faring ichthyosaur, an extinct reptile that is something of a mix between a dolphin and an alligator. It lived in ancient seas around Scotland during the Middle Jurassic period, feeding on other reptiles, and has been named "Dearcmhara shawcrossi" after Brian Shawcross, the amateur paleontologist who discovered its remains in 1959.

See also: Hold a T-Rex Bone in Your Bare Hands, Invites Smithsonian

The Dearcmhara shawcrossi was 14 to 15 feet in length, close to the size of an average great white shark. Paleontologists say that its size reveals that it was likely near the top of the ocean food chain Read more...

More about Dinosaurs, World, Watercooler, Conversations, and History



from Mashable http://ift.tt/1BcB7V1

via