183 million-year-old plesiosaur fossil found preserved with skin, scales

A 183-million-year-old plesiosaur fossil found in Germany reveals new details about the ancient marine reptile's appearance. Scientists discovered smooth skin on their bodies and small scales on their flippers, similar to sea turtles. This first detailed examination of preserved plesiosaur soft tissue challenges previous assumptions about their skin texture. The scaled flippers likely aided swimming and foraging, while the smooth body reduced drag. This discovery enhances our understanding of these extinct marine predators from the dinosaur era.