Canada A Sea Monster with Secrets
For over three decades, a puzzling set of marine fossils from Vancouver Island’s Puntledge River kept scientists scratching their heads. Believed to belong to an elasmosaur—a long-necked marine reptile from the age of dinosaurs—the fossils didn’t align neatly with any known species. That mystery has finally been solved.
In a newly published study in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, researchers have revealed that the fossils belong to a previously unknown genus and species, now officially named Traskasaura sandrae. At 12 metres long with a neck made of over 50 vertebrae and a jaw full of shell-crushing teeth, this creature is unlike any other elasmosaur discovered to date.
Traskasaura represents a bizarre blend of both primitive and advanced features, leading to confusion among palaeontologists for decades. But with this discovery, the Pacific Northwest finally has a unique marine reptile it can claim as its own.
Exhibit of Traskasaura on display. Courtesy of the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre.
A Fossil with a Long Journey
The first Traskasaura fossil was uncovered in 1988 by amateur fossil hunters Michael and Heather Trask, along the banks of the Puntledge River in British Columbia, Canada. Though the fossil was striking in size and form, degradation on one side made it difficult to study in detail. For years, researchers hesitated to declare it a new genus due to the lack of clear, diagnostic features.
Things began to change when a second, juvenile fossil was found, this time in much better condition. It provided the missing pieces needed to clarify the creature’s unique anatomy—especially its odd flippers and distinctive shoulder joint. This breakthrough allowed an international team of researchers from Canada, Chile, and the United States to confidently assign the fossils to a new species.
Lead author Professor F. Robin O’Keefe of Marshall University in West Virginia explained: “When I first saw the fossils and realised they represented a new taxon, I thought it might be related to Antarctic plesiosaurs. But further research revealed it was something far stranger.”
An Unusual Predator
Most marine reptiles of the Cretaceous period hunted prey silhouetted against the light from above. Not Traskasaura. Its anatomy suggests it hunted by diving downward, ambushing prey from above—an entirely unique method among plesiosaurs.
Its flippers were shaped like inverted aeroplane wings, maximising thrust on the downstroke. Combined with a shoulder joint that opened downward—something never seen before in this group—Traskasaura was superbly adapted for top-down attacks.
The creature’s heavy, sharp teeth hint at its preferred diet: ammonites, extinct marine molluscs with coiled shells. These creatures were abundant in the waters off what is now British Columbia. “Its teeth were ideal for crushing ammonite shells,” said O’Keefe.
Two Traskasaura sandrae individuals pursue the ammonite Pachydiscus in the northern Pacific Ocean during the Late Cretaceous period. Officially named in the Journal of Systematic Paleontology today, Traskasaura sandrae was designated the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia in 2023. Artwork by Robert O. Clark.
British Columbia’s Fossil Icon
Though its identity was a mystery until now, Traskasaura has long held a special place in British Columbia. In 2023, after a public campaign and province-wide vote, it was named the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia, winning nearly half of the vote. It is now canada proudly canada displayed at the Courtenay and District Museum canada and Palaeontology Centre.
The name Traskasaura honours Michael and Heather Trask, the original discoverers. The canada species name sandrae commemorates Sandra Lee O’Keefe, the late wife of Professor O’Keefe, who battled breast cancer. “In loving memory,” the research team noted in the paper.
A Legacy Locked in Stone
Traskasaura sandrae is more than just another fossil—it’s a symbol of scientific curiosity, canada persistence, and the power of community engagement in uncovering Earth’s prehistoric past.
“Fittingly, a region known today for its rich marine life was once home to some of the most fascinating canada creatures in ancient seas,” said O’Keefe. “The fossil record is full of surprises. It is always gratifying to discover something unexpected.”
Despite its size and strange hunting style, Traskasaura was likely not the apex predator of its environment. Larger marine reptiles like mosasaurs would have been formidable threats. Still, Traskasaura carved out its niche in a vibrant ecosystem—until the mass extinction event 66 million years ago brought the canada age of dinosaurs to an end.
Now, thanks to years of research and collaboration, this canada long-necked enigma finally has its name in the fossil hall of fame.
