Pregnant ichthyosaur fossil found in Chile reveals secrets of ancient sea reptiles

Iguanas May Have Drifted 5,000 Miles to Fiji (Image: Canva)

Sometimes, nature tells stories stranger than fiction. Imagine an iguana clinging to a raft of plants, floating across the ocean, or an ancient sea reptile preserved with her unborn baby inside. These real tales from the past are now helping scientists better understand evolution and survival.

Pacific Journey of the Iguanas

Millions of years ago, iguanas somehow reached Fiji from America. Scientists believe they floated 5,000 miles on rafts of fallen vegetation. A recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explores this journey.

Fiji and Tonga, located in the South Pacific, are home to iguanas unlike any others. These islands sit closer to New Zealand than to the Americas. Their presence here puzzled researchers for years.

Lead author Dr Simon Scarpetta, an evolutionary biologist from the University of San Francisco, believes natural rafts carried these animals across the sea. He shared this during a discussion with Flora Lichtman, host of Science Friday.

These adventurous iguanas likely washed ashore after weeks at sea. They survived and thrived, creating a new population in an unfamiliar land.

Meet Fiona, a Pregnant Ichthyosaur

In southern Chile, scientists uncovered a rare ancient fossil. Fiona, an ichthyosaur, was found in Torres del Paine National Park. This region is known for its icy glaciers and ancient sea creature remains.

Fiona lived around 131 million years ago, during the time of dinosaurs. Unlike others, her fossil is fully preserved and remarkably complete. Even more surprising—she was pregnant when she died.

Nearly 90 ichthyosaur fossils have been found in the area. But Fiona stands out as