Found fossil lizard 120 million years old

A 120 million-year-old fossil has just been found in rocky mountains in northeastern China. This is the first fossil of a pregnant lizard found.

Picture 1 of Found fossil lizard 120 million years old
Fossil of mother lizard 120 million years old

BBC on July 21 reported 30 cm long fossils with more than a dozen embryos in the body. It is defined as that of a lizard belonging to the genus Yabeinosaurus - an extinct genus of ancient lizards.

Fossil researchers at the University of London (UK) say this is the oldest pregnant lizard fossil that they have ever discovered. It is particularly attractive to scientists because it is a reptile that lays a baby and does not lay eggs.

According to scientists, the mother lizard died only a few days after a spawning and was buried by the rock during the Cretaceous period.

Professor Susan Evans of the University of London says fossils are well preserved, so she can see that 15 embryos have grown almost completely in her body through a microscope. And when she looked closely, she could see their teeth.