By Tim Binnall
The fossilized remains of a wondrous-looking dinosaur that has been likened to a dragon has been unveiled by a team of international scientists. Detailing their work in a press release, the group indicated that the creature roamed the oceans around modern-day China during the Triassic period approximately 240 million years ago. Measuring 16 feet long, the Dinocephalosaurus orientalis sported an "extraordinarily long neck" that consisted of a staggering 32 vertebrae and easily allowed it to feast on any unfortunate fish that crossed its path.
"This discovery allows us to see this remarkable long-necked animal in full for the very first time," explained Dr Nick Fraser, one of the scientists who worked on the project. He went on to marvel that "it is yet one more example of the weird and wonderful world of the Triassic that continues to baffle paleontologists." In revealing the results of their work this week, the researchers noted that the ancient 'dragon' somewhat resembled the plesiosaurs that "inspired the myth of the Loch Ness Monster," the researchers revealed that these are only "superficial similarities" in appearance and, in fact, there is no close relation between the two creatures.