This ancient reptile had a super long neck to sneak up on unsuspecting fish
Researchers identify two prehistoric reptiles with "extraordinarily" long neck which would have been a burden on land but an advantage underwater, allowing the reptiles to approach their prey sneakily. (Emma Finley-Jacob/)Around 242 million years ago, a reptile with a neck three times the length of its trunk dwelled in present-day Europe and Asia. Since paleontologists first discovered the species, which the researchers named Tanystropheus, in 1852, other scientists have found its fossilized remains in places as far flung as Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and China. However, researchers still know very little about the species, including its preferred habitat and the purpose of its long neck.A new analysis of Tanystropheus bones from Switzerland indicates that the fossils scattered around the world actually belonged to two different species and one was much bigger than the other. The larger Tanystropheus species was adapted for an aquatic lifestyle and likely used its long neck to...