Chris Moore discovered and excavated this complete ichthyosaur in September 2024, getting special permission from the landowners to extract this large find. This find was prepared over the course of a year, with different bits joining us at the Centre as they were finished. It has been expertly prepared by Chris Moore, Alex Moore and Nic Reast and taken approximately 1,800 hours to fully prepare!
In March 2025, Steve Dey from ThinkSee3D joined Chris at the Centre to scan this unusual skull using photogrammetry. ThinkSee3D then converted all of the data from these images into a 3D model that can be viewed up-close and from every angle to show off this truly unique skull! Find out more about them and what they do on their website.
This amazing specimen is thought to be an undescribed, new species of ichthyosaur based upon several unique features of the skeleton!
With a bizarre overbite, the lower jaw is significantly smaller than the upper jaw unlike any other ichthyosaur. Analysis of the tip suggests this was the case in life and not that it broke once the animal had died, but whether this was a result of injury, disease or the norm for this ichthyosaur is yet to be determined.
The hind paddles also have a strange feature, the leading edge of the front paddle digits are notched. This is unusual for the ichthyosaurs we find along the Jurassic Coast and is thought to have been an attachment surface for ligaments to aid in swimming.
This incredible find was named Enzo in our ichthyosaur naming competition in May 2025! The name was suggested by Jude Beaumont from Cornwall and selected by Chris.
It is thanks to your generous donations that our Centre is able to create these new displays for members of the public and school groups to see and learn about the stunning fossils of our Jurassic Coast. If you wish to donate to support these displays then please click here.