Plesiosaur fossil for auction
Published December 12th, 2005
The fossil of an air-breathing marine reptile that inhabited the oceans about 205m years ago, when dinosaurs still existed, is to be auctioned off.
The Plesiosaur, which means near reptile, has a prominent small head on a long neck and a round body.
The fossil is the first skeleton of the reptile to be sold on the open market.
Unearthed in Lyme Regis, Dorset, about 20 years ago, the creature is thought to be “the most popular explanation for the mythical Loch Ness monster”.
The first well-preserved fish-eating plesiosaur fossil was discovered in the county in 1824, by fossil collector Mary Anning.
