Length 5m, 32 Vertebrae... Fossil Resembling 'Legendary Dragon' from 240 Million Years Ago Discovered in China
by Jang Hyowon
Published 25 Feb.2024 13:42(KST)
Updated 25 Feb.2024 18:28(KST)
A 240-million-year-old reptile fossil resembling the legendary mythical creature, the dragon, has been discovered in China.
An illustration of Deinochephalosaurus orientalis fossil recently discovered in China. / Journal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
원본보기 아이콘According to Yonhap News and foreign media on the 25th, a fossil of 'Dinocephalosaurus orientalis,' an aquatic reptile that lived during the Triassic period 240 million years ago, was found in China.
This fossilized creature measures 5 meters in length, with a neck longer than its body and tail combined, giving it an appearance similar to the legendary dragon.
Nick Fraser of the National Museum of Scotland, one of the researchers, described the animal as "resembling a Chinese dragon curled in the shape of the number 8."
The existence of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis was first confirmed in 2003, but this fossil discovery has allowed scientists to understand the creature's complete anatomical structure for the first time.
The newly discovered Dinocephalosaurus orientalis fossil was found in limestone layers in southern China.
The research team that discovered the fossil estimated that the creature's neck, composed of 32 vertebrae, was long and flexible, which would have been advantageous for searching for prey in underwater rock crevices.
Additionally, its arms and legs resembled flippers, and fish were found in the stomach area of the fossil. The research team analyzed this as evidence that the creature was well adapted to a marine environment.
Dr. Fraser explained that Dinocephalosaurus orientalis is "a very strange animal. The function of its long neck remains puzzling," adding, "As a paleontologist, I use modern similar animals to understand ancient creatures, but there is no modern animal similar to Dinocephalosaurus orientalis."
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