New Sea Monster Just Dropped: Meet Traskasaura Sandrae! 🦖🌊
Giant 85 million-year-old mystery sea monster fossil finally identified. OMG, scientists just ID'd a brand new sea monster fossil that's, like, 85 million years old! It's called *Traskasaura sandrae*, and it's low-key a big deal. They found the fossils on Vancouver Island. This creature was vibing w
TL:DR
OMG, scientists just ID'd a brand new sea monster fossil that's, like, 85 million years old! It's called *Traskasaura sandrae*, and it's low-key a big deal. They found the fossils on Vancouver Island. This creature was vibing with dinos and crushing shells back in the day. The mystery has been solved!
The Deets
Okay, listen up, history nerds and dino stans! Scientists have officially dropped a new elasmosaur species, and it's named *Traskasaura sandrae*. The squad found three specimens chillin' on Vancouver Island. We're talkin' a whole adult skeleton (though it's kinda beat up), a right humerus, and a juvenile skeleton that's lookin' pretty fresh.
This new species? They've yeeted it into a brand new genus called *Traskasaura*. These elasmosaurs were out here during the Cretaceous period, kickin' it with dinosaurs and other sea reptiles. *Traskasaura* was probably munching on ammonite molluscs, which were everywhere back then. Those robust teeth? Designed for maximum shell-crushing power! Also, peep the long neck - at least 50 vertebrae!
So, the first fossil was found back in '88, but it took a while for the scientists to put two and two together. Now they've cracked the case. Word is these monsters were, like, 39 feet long! They probably hunted from above, diving down to snack on some ammonites. You can even see the fossils IRL at the Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Center. Bet.
Abbreviations Glossary
| Abbreviation | Full Form |
|---|---|
| OMG | Oh My God (expression of surprise or excitement) |
| ID'd | Identified |
| Low-key | Slightly, subtly. |
| Vibing | Existing harmoniously, enjoying. |
| Dinos | Dinosaurs |
| Stans | Enthusiastic fans |
| The squad | The researchers |
| Chillin' | Resting |
| Fresh | Well-preserved |
| Yeeted | Threw, placed |
| Word is | Rumor has it |
| IRL | In real life |
| Bet | Okay; affirmation |