Dog sniffs see ancient fish lizard fossils

The 65-million-year-old fossil of a giant Ichthyosaur was accidentally discovered by two dogs while walking with its owner.

Fossilized lizard fish in Somerset, England.(Photo: Telegraph).

The remains of a 5-meter-long skeleton were found on the Stolford coast in Somerset county, southwest England, on December 14. Fossils are visible on the surface due to the effects of recent storms.

"I often go to the beach with my two dogs, Poppy and Sam. When the tide recedes, we go to the rocks and play and discover this special thing. As soon as I see it, I can be sure. This is a fossilized sea creature, " said Jon Gopsill, 54.

Poppy and Sam sniffed fossils while playing on the beach.(Photo: Telegraph).

Gopsill then reported his findings to the Natural History Museum in London. Dr. Mike Day, curator of the Earth Science Department at the museum, confirmed that the fossil belonged to an Ichthyosaur or a fish lizard - an ancient sea reptile group shaped like a dolphin living in the third century. Message to the Cretaceous period.

"Looking at this specimen, based on the shape of the back, the number of flippers and the absence of the pelvis, it can be seen that this is the remains of an Ichthyosaur. However, we have not been able to determine exactly. What kind of fish lizard , " Mike said.

Photo of fish lizard restoration by artist Michael Rosskothen.(Photo: Telegraph).

The bays in the north of West Somerset district are known as fossil hotspots. Last year, the lower jaw of a giant Ichthyosaur nearly 26 m long, dating from the late Three Gorges period 235 to 200 million years ago, was also found by archaeologists in this area.

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