Scientists have found a dinosaur fossil over 240 million years old. Photo
Scientists have found a fossil of a Proterosaur that is more than 240 million years old.
This find is unique because the fossil is completely preserved. It took scientists from Scotland, China, and the United States 10 years to study it, according to a study published in the journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The protorosaur belongs to the species Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, which was first discovered in 2003. Researchers sometimes say that these animals look like fantasy dragons because of their long necks.
This is the first time researchers have been able to see Dinocephalosaurus orientalis in full view. The animal's limbs look like flippers, and its neck is longer than its body and tail combined. Researcher Nick Fraser from the National Museum of Scotland suggested that the long and flexible neck of the Proterosaurus, made up of 32 separate vertebrae, was an advantage when hunting - it was easy to find food in crevices underwater. This species hunted fish.
The fossil was found in ancient limestone deposits in southern China. Scientists also suggest that this particular type of proto-Rosaurus could have inspired the creation of the mythical monster from the Scottish Loch Ness.
As TravelWise reported, a 10,000-year-old flamingo egg was found at an airport construction site in Mexico.