Discovery of Largest Marine Reptile Ichthyotitan Severnensis by 11-Year-Old in England

An 11-year-old girl, Ruby Reynolds, discovered a large fossil jawbone on a beach in Somerset, England, leading to the identification of Ichthyotitan severnensis, the largest known marine reptile. Estimated at around 25 meters (82 feet) long, comparable to a modern blue whale, this ichthyosaur lived approximately 202 million years ago during the Late Triassic period. Scientists, including Dr. Dean Lomax, published their findings in PLOS ONE and plan further searches along the coast. Bone analysis indicates the creature was still growing at death, suggesting some individuals may have been even larger.