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Scientists discover 240-million-year-old dinosaur that resembles a “mythical Chinese dragon”
A team of international scientists have discovered 240-million-year-old fossils from the Triassic period in China that one scientist described as a “long and snake-like, mythical Chinese dragon.”
The 16-foot-long aquatic reptile, called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, has 32 separate neck vertebrae – an extremely long neck, according to the National Museums of Scotland, which announced the news on Friday.
The new fossil has a snake-like appearance and flippers and was found in the Guizhou Province of southern China.
Marlene Donelly via National Museums of Scotland
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis was first identified in 2003 when its skull was found, but this more complete fossil discovery has “allowed scientists to depict the bizarre long-necked creature in full for the very first time.”
“It is yet one more example of the weird and wonderful world of the Triassic that continues to baffle palaeontologists. We are certain that it will capture imaginations across the globe due to its striking appearance, reminiscent of the long and snake-like, mythical Chinese Dragon,” said Nick Fraser, keeper of Natural Sciences at National Museums Scotland.
This fossil, as well as two previously discovered embryos of a similar creature, have helped scientist learn more about this type of creature, according to the study, published by Cambridge University Press. They lived in water and likely didn’t need to venture on land to lay eggs.
The largest discovered skull of a Dinocephalosaurus orientalis is about 9 inches and its largest preserved tooth is about an inch.
National Museums of Scotland
While the new fossil includes a poorly preserved skull, vertebrae, ribs and preserved limbs, the tail is missing. The vertebrae are “preserved in perfect articulation.”
They also found at least four fish inside the abdomen, as well as small vertebrae and a possible limb bone, which could be an embryo or the remains of a small reptile the creature ate.
Researchers from the U.S., U.K., China and Europe have been studying this creature for 10 years. “Among all of the extraordinary finds we have made in the Triassic of Guizhou Province, Dinocephalosaurus probably stands out as the most remarkable,” said Li Chun, a professor from the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology.
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How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
