The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden, Manitoba, has revealed its latest exhibit showcasing the Styxosaurus, a long-necked plesiosaur that lived millions of years ago during the Cretaceous era. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a reconstructed skeleton of the Styxosaurus, originally discovered in 1983 at North Cox farm near Miami, Manitoba.
Using advanced 3D printing technology, over 400 bones were printed and assembled to create the full skeleton on display. This marks the first time a complete skeleton has been reconstructed using 3D printing at the museum. Additionally, artificial intelligence was utilized to craft a lifelike sculpture of the plesiosaur.
The Styxosaurus, which could grow up to 12 meters in length and weigh over 4,000 kilograms, inhabited the ancient Western Interior Seaway. With a long neck comprising up to 72 vertebrae and sharp conical teeth, this marine reptile was a formidable predator in its time.
Visitors, like twelve-year-old Jorja Doerksen, are captivated by the exhibit, describing it as “really cool” and admiring the detailed skeletons and skin models on display. Doerksen, fascinated by ancient creatures, particularly enjoys learning about plesiosaurs due to their resemblance to the mythical Loch Ness monster.
In an interactive element, visitors are invited to suggest names for the Styxosaurus, a common practice among paleontologists. The selected name will be announced at the end of the summer, with the winner receiving a Styxosaurus-themed prize. Doerksen has proposed the name “Apollo,” drawing inspiration from Greek mythology’s River Styx, after which the Styxosaurus is named.
