Scientists discover Traskasaura sandrae: Mystery of 85-million-year-old sea monster solved

Two Traskasaura sandrae individuals hunt the ammonite Pachydiscus in the northern Pacific during the Late Cretaceous. Officially named today in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, Traskasaura sandrae was recognised as British Columbia’s Provincial Fossil in 2023. (Image: Robert O. Clark)

For decades, a sea creature puzzled scientists and stirred curiosity. Now, experts have finally given it a name and identity. This strange and powerful marine reptile, first found in 1988, has been recognised as Traskasaura sandrae — a new genus of elasmosaur unlike any seen before.

A mix of ancient and new features

This long-necked marine reptile lived around 85 million years ago. At 12 metres long, Traskasaura sandrae had strong, sharp teeth ideal for crushing shells. The creature showed an unusual mix of primitive and advanced traits. This odd blend sets it apart from other known plesiosaurs.

A new study, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, confirms that the fossils belong to a new genus. Researchers say the animal’s features suggest it could swim downward to strike prey from above. This behaviour might have been rare at the time and possibly unique among early plesiosaurs.

The fossils were first found in Late Cretaceous rocks near the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island. Since 1988, three specimens have been discovered. They include an isolated humerus and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton with thorax, limbs, and girdles. These fossils came from the Haslam Formation, and all three were studied in the new paper.

British Columbia’s official fossil finally gets a name

The fossils were first described in 2002 but lacked enough detail then to name a new genus. Since then, the elasmosaur has gained local fame and, in 2023, was declared British Columbia’s official fossil. It won a 2018 public poll with 48 per cent of the vote.

They are now on display at the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre. The name Traskasaura honours Michael and Heather Trask, who found the original fossil. The species name sandrae is in memory of Sandra Lee O’Keefe, who fought breast cancer. Elizabeth Nicholls, one of the early researchers, is also remembered through this work.

Professor F. Robin O’Keefe of Marshall University led the new research. He said the shoulder bones were especially strange and unlike any other plesiosaur he had studied. He had once thought it may be linked to Antarctic species, but his Chilean colleague Rodrigo Otero believed otherwise — and was right.

A predator built for the hunt

The creature had at least 36 well-preserved cervical vertebrae, suggesting over 50 neck bones. That long neck and robust teeth suggest it hunted ammonites, which were common in the region. Its downward-swimming ability may have helped it attack from above — a style rarely seen in early plesiosaurs.

The new fossil, better preserved than those studied in 2002, helped confirm that all three specimens belong to the same species. The team believes the shared features across the bones strongly support this.

As Professor O’Keefe puts it, the Pacific Northwest now has a marine reptile to call its own. A sea monster that once roamed ancient oceans now has a name, a story, and a permanent place in science and memory.