With no ocean nearby, spotting a massive water creature is definitely a rarity in DFW. While North Texas has plenty of lakes and rivers full of fish, and the occasional alligator may make its way to the metroplex, for the most part these animals are not a worry in North Texas. However, 80 million years ago was a different story, as a paleontologist recently discovered a massive prehistoric marine lizard fossil in the area.
Dr. Ron Tkoski, the director and curator of paleontology at the Perot Museum, recently helped direct a dig near the North Sulfur River in Fannin County. "What was found out there was something called a mosasaur – in this case about a 30-foot-long marine lizard that swam through our area around 80 million years ago," said Dr. Tkoski. According to Fox 4 News, while the size of the lizard is rare, finding mosasaur fossils in the area are not.
There is currently a mosasaur skeleton on display at the Perot museum. This new discovery helps shed light on what the area was like during prehistoric times. Many now believe this area was likely under water. Luckily in 2022, massive marine lizards are now longer an issue.
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