Fossilized skull of sea monster found

Published 9:31 pm Wednesday, October 27, 2010

LONDON — British authorities say the fossilized skull of a giant sea monster has been found off the coast of Dorset.

The fossil came from a pliosaur, a ferocious, carnivorous predator that lived in the oceans 150 million years ago.

The skull measures 8 feet in length. The discovery was announced Tuesday.

Scientists believe the creature would have been about 52 feet long.

Paleontologist David Martill said pliosaurs had short necks and huge, crocodile-like heads with powerful jaws and razor-sharp teeth.

He said they used paddle-like limbs to propel their bodies through the water and were generally carnivores.

The skull will be put on display in a Dorset museum.