JAWSome discovery uncovers huge sea monster that rivalled Megalodon

The cranium of an immense sea creature has been unearthed from the cliffs along Dorset's Jurassic Coast. This formidable marine reptile, identified as a pliosaur, once ruled the seas approximately 150 million years ago.

Measuring an impressive 2 meters in length, this fossil stands out as one of the most comprehensive specimens of its kind ever found. Its discovery is unlocking fresh perspectives on the behaviors and characteristics of this ancient predator.

Steve Etches has the skull. Now he wants the rest of the animal's body

The remarkable skull is set to be showcased in an exclusive program featuring David Attenborough on BBC One on New Year's Day. This unveiling promises to provide viewers with a captivating glimpse into the world of this colossal sea monster and the secrets hidden within its well-preserved remains.

"Oh wow!" The crowd gasps in awe as the sheet concealing the fossil is drawn back, unveiling the colossal pliosaur skull for the first time. Its sheer size and exquisite preservation immediately captivate onlookers.

Artwork: Pliosaurs had the speed and power to take down other big marine reptiles

Local palaeontologist Steve Etches expresses his amazement, asserting that there's no comparable specimen elsewhere. "It's one of the best fossils I've ever worked on. What makes it unique is it's complete," he shares with BBC News.

Describing the exceptional find, Etches elaborates, "The lower jaw and the upper skull are meshed together, as they would be in life. Worldwide, there's hardly any specimens ever found to that level of detail. And if they are, a lot of the bits are missing, whereas this, although it's slightly distorted - it's got every bone present." The rarity and completeness of this pliosaur fossil make it an invaluable and unparalleled discovery in the world of paleontology.

Megalodon was thought to be the largest predator to have ever existed based on discovered fossilised teeth

The sheer magnitude of the skull is staggering, surpassing the height of most humans and offering a visceral understanding of the creature's overall size.

Drawing immediate attention are the 130 teeth, particularly those positioned at the front of the jaw. Long and razor-sharp, these formidable dental weapons suggest the pliosaur could incapacitate its prey with a single, devastating bite. However, a closer examination, for those brave enough to venture near, reveals intricate details on the back of each tooth – fine ridges designed with a purpose.

These subtle features served a crucial role in the predatory strategy of the beast. The fine ridges on the teeth would have aided the pliosaur in piercing the flesh, ensuring a secure grip on its prey. This specialized adaptation allowed the creature to swiftly extract its dagger-like fangs, priming itself for a rapid and lethal second attack. The dental precision of this ancient predator unveils not only its fearsome hunting prowess but also the evolutionary marvels that enabled it to dominate the prehistoric seas.

Steve Etches shows Sir David Attenborough the snout - the first piece to be found

The pliosaur emerges as the epitome of a relentless killing machine, boasting a formidable length of 10-12 meters and propelled by four robust flipper-like limbs that allowed it to navigate the ocean depths with remarkable speed. In its prime, this creature stood as the undisputed apex predator of the seas.

"The animal would have been so massive that I think it would have been able to prey effectively on anything that was unfortunate enough to be in its space," remarks Dr. Andre Rowe from Bristol University. His comparison draws a vivid parallel, likening the pliosaur to an underwater T. rex—a testament to the unparalleled dominance and predatory prowess this ancient marine reptile possessed.

As the fossilized remains provide unprecedented insights into the life of this colossal predator, it becomes increasingly evident that the pliosaur reigned supreme in the prehistoric oceans, shaping a narrative of a creature so formidable that it commanded the underwater realm like a tyrannical monarch of the deep.

However, the mystery remained: where was the remainder of this colossal creature? A drone survey of the towering cliff face eventually pinpointed a promising location, yet accessing it posed a unique challenge. The only feasible method involved descending from the cliff's summit via abseil.

Excavating fossils from rock demands meticulous care and precision under ordinary circumstances. Yet, performing this delicate task while suspended on ropes, dangling 15 meters above a beach, elevates the process to a level of expertise reserved for the most skilled and daring.

The audacity, commitment, and months dedicated to carefully cleaning and retrieving the skull have undeniably proven worthwhile. Now, scientists from around the world are poised to flock to the Dorset fossil site, eager to glean fresh insights into the lifestyles and ecological dominance of these extraordinary reptiles. The significance of this discovery extends beyond the fossil itself; it serves as a portal to understanding how these ancient sea monsters lived and thrived in their long-lost underwater realms.

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