Fossil prep: Rare baby plesiosaur fossil discovered!

A while back I found this bone cluster and managed to carry it home. I started off prepping it with my air scribes and removed a fair bit of rock. Unfortunately, there wasn't good separation between the rock and the fossil - it was really "sticky" - so I did the final bit of prep using some vinegar to dissolve the rock. The acid prep took around 2 weeks.

I sent photos of the bones to a paleontologist specializing in marine reptiles from the Cretaceous era of New Zealand and he ID'd it as a juvenile plesiosaurus, probably and elasmosaurus. According to him, it's only the third bones of this type of elasmosaurus found in New Zealand so a pretty rare find!

Thanks to everyone commenting and supporting me, especially my patreons! I really appreciate it!

Patreon for 20+ extra videos:   / mamlambo  
Instagram:   / mamlambofossils  
TikTok:   / mamlambofossils  
Website: http://mamlambofossils.com/

Postal address:
Morne Mamlambo
PO Box 78018
7648
New Zealand

#discovery #rare #dinosaur