Rare, Nearly Complete Dimetrodon Found! [HMNS Paleontology]

The Houston Museum of Natural Science Paleontology team has discovered an articulated specimen of a Dimetrodon on the Craddock Ranch in Baylor County.

The team named the fossil "Wet Willi"—"Wet" because it was found while excavating a drainage trench for the quarry, and "Willi" for Samuel Williston, a paleontologist and educator who was active at the site 100 years ago. Dimetrodon bones are common in the Craddock quarry, but articulated fossil skeletons, like "Wet Willi," are extremely rare.

Excavation of the fossil is currently underway. "Wet Willi" will be the star of the Permian section of the Museum's newly renovated paleontology hall, opening in 2012!

Read More on the HMNS blog: http://blog.hmns.org/?p=8243

Category:

Education

Tags:

• HMNS
• science
• paleontology
• fossil
• field work
• fossil dig
• paleontologists
• museum
• Permiann
• Dimetrodon

[freddytk421]

Who's land is that and do they get to keep the skeleton or do you buy it from him? What's the scoop?

[Lagomort]

Synapsids rule!

[xtheguyx1]

That's a beautiful start... at your dig's close! I imagine all possible strings are being pulled to extend the field time?

[MandaloretheYoung]

Where in Texas is this site?

[naturalscience1]

@Amebelodon yes, Dr. Bakker is leading the team at this site. They have found many Dimetrodons, but this is by far the most complete and well-articulated.

[aeolus75]

big thanks for that video , this is a great discovery :))