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Did You Know!

Nevada is home to the largest known concentration of giant marine reptile fossils in the world.

It might sound strange for a desert state, but Nevada was once covered by a vast ancient ocean about 225 million years ago during the Triassic period.

At Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park, scientists discovered dozens of fossils from a massive marine reptile called Shonisaurus popularis. These creatures resembled enormous dolphins and could grow up to 50 feet long, making them among the largest marine reptiles ever discovered.

The fossils are so well preserved that visitors can see entire skeletons still embedded in the rock, exactly where the animals died millions of years ago.

Because of this remarkable discovery, Shonisaurus popularis was named the official state fossil of Nevada.

Today, the site protects one of the most important ichthyosaur fossil beds on Earth—right in the middle of Nevada’s rugged desert landscape.