The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden, Manitoba, has introduced a new exhibit featuring the Styxosaurus, a long-necked plesiosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period. The exhibit showcases reconstructions of this ancient marine reptile, with the original bones discovered in 1983 at North Cox farm near Miami, Man., and used to create a full skeleton using 3D printing technology. This marks the first time a complete skeleton has been reconstructed using 3D printing at the museum. Artificial intelligence was also utilized to craft a lifelike sculpture of the Styxosaurus.
The Styxosaurus, which could grow up to 12 meters in length and weigh over 4,000 kilograms, had a unique anatomy with a long neck comprising up to 72 vertebrae and a head featuring sharp, conical teeth for hunting prey. It inhabited the Western Interior Seaway, an ancient sea that once divided North America and covered parts of the present-day Prairies.
Visitors, including twelve-year-old Jorja Doerksen, have been captivated by the exhibit, expressing admiration for the skeletal displays and skin models. Doerksen, intrigued by prehistoric creatures like dinosaurs, found the Styxosaurus particularly fascinating and drew parallels between plesiosaurs and the legendary Loch Ness monster.
As part of the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to submit name suggestions for the Styxosaurus, a common practice among paleontologists. The chosen name will be announced at the end of the summer, with the selected individual receiving a Styxosaurus-themed prize. Doerksen has proposed the name “Apollo,” drawing inspiration from Greek mythology as the Styxosaurus is named after the River Styx.
Overall, the unveiling of the Styxosaurus exhibit at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre has sparked interest and excitement among visitors, showcasing the fascinating world of prehistoric marine life.