Scientists Reveal Bizarre Deep-Sea Creature Long Thought to Be a Myth
A newly identified species of ancient marine reptile, named Traskasaura sandrae , has been revealed as a unique and formidable predator that roamed the oceans during the Late Cretaceous — approximately 85 million years ago. This massive sea creature measured up to 12 meters in length , making it one of the more imposing marine predators of its time.
Unlike other known elasmosaurs, Traskasaura sandrae exhibited a rare combination of primitive and advanced physical traits , distinguishing it from all previously discovered species within this group of long-necked plesiosaurs.
The research, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Systematic Palaeontology , describes how this unusual marine reptile was equipped with powerful jaws and sharp, sturdy teeth , ideal for crushing prey. Scientists believe it hunted in a way never before associated with elasmosaurs — diving from above to ambush its targets, including ammonites like Pachydiscus .
This hunting behavior marks a significant evolutionary shift and may suggest that Traskasaura played a key role in the development of new predatory strategies among plesiosaurs.
🦴 A Discovery Decades in the Making
Although fossils of this species have been known for some time — and are among the most famous in North America — they have only now been classified under a new genus: Traskasaura .
The name honors its unique anatomical features and pays tribute to Dr. Sandra Trask, mother of the lead author, who collected the first fossil elements of the species.
In recognition of its scientific and cultural significance, British Columbia designated Traskasaura sandrae as its Provincial Fossil in 2023 .
🎨 Imagining the Ancient Ocean Hunt
An artistic depiction shows two individuals of Traskasaura sandrae stalking an ammonite in the northern Pacific, offering a glimpse into the dynamic predator-prey relationships of the ancient seas.
Credit: Robert O. Clark
While the fossils of Traskasaura sandrae date back an impressive 85 million years , they are not newly discovered. The first specimen — now recognized as belonging to this species — was uncovered in 1988 in Late Cretaceous rock formations along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island .
Since that initial discovery, additional fossils have been recovered, adding valuable insight into the anatomy and behavior of this ancient marine reptile. Among these finds are an isolated right humerus (upper arm bone) and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton that includes parts of the thorax, shoulder girdle, and limbs.
In total, three individuals from the Haslam Formation were analyzed in the recent study that led to the formal classification of Traskasaura as a new genus.
Although first described scientifically in 2002 , the fossils recently gained widespread recognition after being adopted by the Province of British Columbia as its official fossil emblem — a title it received in 2023 .
Today, these historically significant fossils are on public display at The Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Center in Courtenay, British Columbia , where visitors can explore the story of this fascinating sea creature up close.
The recognition of Traskasaura sandrae as the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia came after years of growing local interest and public engagement. The official designation followed a five-year campaign led by paleontology enthusiasts, alongside a province-wide public poll in 2018 , where the marine reptile received 48% of the votes — making it the clear favorite among British Columbians.
“Plesiosaur fossils have been uncovered in British Columbia for decades,” says lead researcher Professor F. Robin O’Keefe from Marshall University in West Virginia, USA. “Yet, despite their historical significance and widespread discovery, the exact identity of the creature behind these fossils remained a mystery — even after it was named the provincial fossil in 2023. Our recent study finally brings clarity to this long-standing scientific puzzle.”
This research not only clarifies the species’ identity but also highlights how community involvement can play a key role in advancing scientific discovery and preserving natural heritage.
“It’s no surprise that this species confused scientists for so long — it’s a strange mix of ancient and modern traits,” said Professor F. Robin O’Keefe, a leading expert in marine reptiles from the age of dinosaurs. “The structure of its shoulder is unlike anything I’ve seen in any other plesiosaur — and I’ve studied quite a few.”
With the formal naming of Traskasaura sandrae , the Pacific Northwest now has an iconic marine reptile of its own.
“It makes perfect sense,” adds O’Keefe. “Just as today’s Pacific Northwest is known for its rich and diverse marine ecosystems, during the Age of Dinosaurs, this region was home to some truly unique and fascinating sea creatures.”
The discovery also highlights how much the fossil record still has to teach us.
“There’s always something new waiting to be found,” says O’Keefe. “At first glance, I thought these fossils might be related to Antarctic plesiosaurs — but my colleague Rodrigo Otero from Chile had a different idea. As it turned out, he was right. Traskasaura is a one-of-a-kind creature — a remarkable example of convergent evolution and biological strangeness.”
🦴 From Uncertainty to Discovery
When the original fossils were first described back in 2002, researchers hesitated to classify them under a new genus. The adult skeleton available at the time didn’t offer enough clear, distinguishing features to justify a new classification.
However, the recent discovery of a new, exceptionally preserved partial skeleton gave an international team of scientists — representing Canada, Chile, and the United States — the opportunity to conduct a deeper analysis. Their findings confirmed that the Puntledge River elasmosaur was not just another member of a known species, but rather an entirely new genus and species.
🏆 Honoring Discoverers: A Personal and Scientific Tribute
The name Traskasaura pays tribute to Michael and Heather Trask , the couple who discovered the original holotype specimen along the Puntledge River in 1988 . The name combines “Trask” with the Greek word sauros , meaning “lizard.”
The species name sandrae honors Sandra Lee O’Keefe (née Markey) , wife of lead author F. Robin O’Keefe. She, like fellow researcher Elizabeth Nicholls (who helped identify the fossils in 2002), bravely battled breast cancer.
“In loving memory,” the research team wrote in their paper.
🔍 Anatomy of a Hunter
Traskasaura sandrae possessed an extremely long neck — with at least 36 cervical vertebrae , suggesting a total of 50 or more . This feature, combined with a unique set of anatomical characteristics, indicates that the creature was well adapted for hunting from above , diving down on prey with precision.
Professor O’Keefe believes this unusual anatomy reflects a specialized hunting strategy, where Traskasaura would plunge from above to ambush its targets — a behavior rarely observed among plesiosaurs.
Ammonites — abundant in the region during the Late Cretaceous — are believed to have been a major part of its diet. Its strong, sturdy teeth appear well-suited for crushing shells, making these ancient cephalopods ideal prey.
🧩 One Species or Three?
While the study examined three individuals from the Haslam Formation , the researchers initially considered whether they belonged to separate species. However, all three specimens displayed consistent diagnostic features, leading the team to conclude they represent a single, previously unknown species .
🔗 Reference:
“A name for the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia: a strange new elasmosaur taxon from the Santonian of Vancouver Island”
Published in Journal of Systematic Palaeontology , May 22, 2025
