#royaltyrrellmuseum — Public Fediverse posts

#FossilAdventCalendar Day 17

This #whale-sized #marine #reptile in the #RoyalTyrrellMuseum is the #ichthyosaur Shastasaurus sikkaniensis. Unusually, it was not only one of the earliest members of its group, but one of the very largest. Its #species name comes from where it was found, along the Sikanni Chief River which flows out of the #RockyMountains of #BritishColumbia 🇨🇦. Its #genus name comes from Mt. #Shasta in the #CascadeRange, where other species of this Triassic titan have been found.

#FossilAdventCalendar Day 16
#FossilFriday

This exploration of #fossils from the #Arctic nations wouldn't be complete without one of the most spectacular #dinosaur fossils ever found that happens to be named for the #North. Borealopelta, meaning "#Northern Shield," is a #nodosaur, a type of #ankylosaur, or #armored dinosaur. This #fossil, uncovered in the tar sands of #Alberta 🇨🇦 and displayed in the #RoyalTyrrellMuseum, preserves much of that armor in incredible detail.

#FossilAdventCalendar Day 9
#FossilFriday

The #extinction that wiped out all non-bird dinosaurs didn't affect every organism the same way. These #gar fossils, found in #Okotoks, #Alberta 🇨🇦 and displayed in the #RoyalTyrrellMuseum, represent a group of #fish that weathered the #extinction fairly well. #Gars are great survivors, with many species having been found alongside #dinosaurs, many - like these - at post-extinction sites, and many still plying the rivers of #NorthAmerica today.