Fossils of Ancient Sea Reptile Discovered in Alaska

Scientists in Alaska discovered the fossil of a plesiosaur species, more accurately called elasmosaur.

This particular species of marine reptiles (not to be confused with dinosaurs) lived approximately 80.5 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous era.

The scientific community does not consider them to be dinosaurs, per se, as they did not walk on land.

However, the plesiosaur species is deeply rooted in Earth’s biological developing environment, with a time-frame of about 200 million years in the past, in the Mesozoic interval.

They were magnificent awe-inspiring prehistoric marine creatures who used to live in oceans and seas.

It has been discovered that the misty, snow-covered mountains of Talkeetna are the lair of a huge marine reptile, according to researchers from the University of Alaska Museum of the North.

The discovery of the species dates back to 1821. Features of these creatures, scientifically proven by experts, included the fact that they gave birth, instead of laying eggs and that they were warm-blooded.

Physical traits of these reptiles incorporate small heads and extremely long necks, as well as paddle-like legs. Concerning their motion, they used to move slowly.

Alaska was also the shelter of two different reptiles, one called thalattosaur – similar to a lizard, with a flattened tail, and long in length. To emphasize with precision its home ground, this one was found on the shores near the Thongass National Forest, on the shores situated southeast of Juneau.

The other sea creature was called ichthyosaur, and it resembled a dolphin, as a relevant example. It was uncovered in the Brooks Range, in the north of Alaska.

Their nourishment was, specifically, large prey. Researchers at the University of Alaska Museum of the North actually associated the icthyosaur with the mysterious Loch Ness monster.

Fossil collector and archaeologist Curvin Metzler was the first one to come across the vertebrae of the elasmosaur fossil.

Druckenmiller, another researcher in his quest to elucidate this new discovery, said that he had recognized the vertebra from the base of the reptile’s neck and thus he would visit the site to see if they could find more relevant pieces of information.

Most of the bones have been excavated already, even though the rest still remain hidden within the mountain’s hillside.

The thorough analysis of the creature’s fossil led to the finding that, roughly, it was about 25 feet long (7.62 meters) and its weight was about 4.409 pounds (meaning an impressive weight of approximately 1999 kg), making it one of the largest and heaviest plesiosaurs to have ever swum in the Earth’s waters.

Photo Credits rogerharris.net