11-Year-Old Discovers Jawbone of Largest Marine Reptile, Ichthyotitan Severnensis

An 11-year-old girl in England discovered jawbone fragments of what is now identified as Ichthyotitan severnensis, potentially the largest marine reptile ever known. Estimated at 25 meters long, this ichthyosaur lived 202 million years ago and was formally described in April 2024.

• Ruby Reynolds, then 11, found Ichthyotitan severnensis jawbone fragments in May 2020.
• The new species, Ichthyotitan severnensis, is estimated to be 25 meters long.
• This giant ichthyosaur lived approximately 202 million years ago during the Late Triassic period.
• The findings were published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE in April 2024.
• The discovery, combining two finds, confirmed the existence of this immense prehistoric creature.
• The research team included Ruby, her father, a fellow fossil collector, and paleontologists.

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