Exciting Discovery: England Unveils the Oldest Known Ancestor of Modern Lizards!

Scientists have made an exciting discovery in southwest England: the oldest known member of the lizard family, dating back 242 million years. This tiny creature, which could fit in a human palm, had specially large teeth designed for hunting cockroaches during the Middle Triassic epoch.

Dan Marke from the University of Bristol commented on the significance of this find, saying, “It’s made us rethink the evolution of lizards, snakes, and the tuatara.” The tuatara, native to New Zealand, is often called a “living fossil” due to its ancient lineage.

The discovery happened in 2015 at a fossil-rich beach in Devon. However, it took years of research to identify this ancient reptile, now named Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae, after the place where it was found. Researchers revealed their findings in a recent study published in *Nature*.

Marke noted, “This fossil shows almost none of what we expected.” Unlike modern lizards, which have a partially hinged skull and multiple teeth on the roof of their mouths, this ancestor lacked these features but had unusually long teeth. These teeth helped it pierce the tough shells of insects, much like today’s tuatara.

Studying the fossil wasn’t easy due to its size—the skull measures only 1.5 centimeters wide. Researchers used advanced scanning technology from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, which produces incredibly bright X-rays to create detailed images of the fossil.

Interestingly, this discovery sheds light on how reptiles have evolved over millions of years. In the past, the ancestors of birds and reptiles split from common dinosaurs. This find provides a snapshot of what life was like just before the age of dinosaurs began, helping scientists understand the lineage of reptiles better.

The growing interest in such fossils has sparked conversations on social media about the evolution of reptiles and their connection to modern species. Studies show that as people learn more about their ancient relatives, interest in conservation and biodiversity tends to increase. Awareness of how interconnected life forms are encourages a broader appreciation for the natural world.

In summary, this remarkable fossil discovery not only informs us about ancient life but also highlights the ongoing evolution of reptiles. For more in-depth findings, check out the original study published in *Nature* here: DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09496-9.

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