The giant ‘sea dragon’ fossil has been unearthed in the Rutland Reservoir as one of the greatest discoveries in the UK

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The fossilized remains of Britain’s largest “sea dragon” have been discovered in Rutland Water Nature Reserve.

The huge skeleton of an ichthyosaur was found while doing some routine maintenance at the nature reserve, near Eagleton, in Rutland.

Scientists have described it as one of the “greatest discoveries” in the history of British paleontology.

Ichthyosaurs were marine reptiles that roamed the seas while dinosaurs roamed the land.

It is believed to be the largest and most complete skeleton of its kind ever found in the UK.

It is also believed to be the first ichthyosaur of its kind (Temnodontosaurus trigonodon) to be found in the country.

The fossil is about 180 million years old, the skeleton is about 10 meters long and the skull weighs about one ton.

Ichthyosaurs first appeared about 250 million years ago and became extinct 90 million years ago.

Ichthyosaurs are a specialized group of marine reptiles that lived in the water while dinosaurs walked on land. Credit: Anglian Water

It was an unusual group of marine reptiles ranging in size from 1 to over 25 meters in length, and similar to dolphins in general body shape.

The massive fossil was discovered by Joe Davis of Leicestershire and the Rutland Wildlife Trust during the routine draining of a lake island in Rutland Water in February last year.

This discovery isn’t the first in Rutland Water, as two incomplete and much smaller ichthyosaurs were found when they initially built the tank in the 1970s.

Paleontologists work on an ichthyosaur skeleton found in Rutland Nature Reserve. Credit: Anglian Water

Dr Mark Evans from the British Antarctic Survey said of the latest discovery: ‘I have been studying the Jurassic fossil reptiles in Rutland and Leicestershire for over 20 years.

“When I first saw the specimen with Joe Davis, I could tell it was the largest known ichthyosaur in either county.

“However, it was only after our exploratory drilling that we realized that it was practically complete to the tip of the tail.”

The reservoir where the huge fossil was discovered. Credit: Anglian Water

“It is a very important discovery nationally and internationally, but also of great importance to the people of Rutland and the surrounding area,” he added.

“It’s not often that you are responsible for safely lifting a very important but very fragile fossil that weighs too much,” said Nigel Larkin, a fossil restoration expert.

The fossil was first discovered at the site in February 2021. Credit: Anglian Water

“It is a responsibility, but I love the challenge. It has been a very complex process to safely detect, record and collect this important specimen.”

Marine reptiles are called sea dragons because they tend to have very large eyes and teeth.

The first ichthyosaurs were discovered by hunter and paleontologist Mary Anning in the early 19th century.

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