Fossil hunters have made a remarkable discovery on England’s coast, unearthing the largely intact skull of a fearsome marine reptile known as a pliosaur. The immense creature, which roamed the seas millions of years ago, possessed a six-foot-long skull and a mouth containing 130 teeth, making it a formidable predator. Scientists believe the pliosaur had a parietal — or third — eye and glands on its snout that likely helped it locate prey. These findings, along with its powerful bite, have led experts to compare the pliosaur to an underwater version of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

The newly discovered fossil, described as one of the most intact pliosaur skulls ever found, is set to be featured in an upcoming BBC One special hosted by Sir David Attenborough. Paleontologist Steve Etches, who plans to display the skull in his museum in Kimmeridge, Dorset, believes there may be more of the creature still waiting to be found in the rapidly eroding cliffs.

The fossil was discovered after Etches’ friend, Phil Jacobs, noticed the skull’s snout during a walk on the beach near Kimmeridge Bay. Scientists spent months carefully excavating the rest of the fossil from a cliffside along the beach, and the skull is now being prepared for display.

Despite the significance of the find, Etches expressed concern about the cliffs eroding and potentially causing the rest of the pliosaur to be lost to the sea. He described the discovery as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and remains hopeful that more of the creature may still be waiting to be found.

The pliosaur skull is a valuable addition to our understanding of prehistoric marine reptiles and offers a glimpse into the ancient ecosystems that once existed off England’s coast. Its display in the Etches Collection Museum next year is sure to generate widespread interest and excitement among paleontology enthusiasts and the public alike.