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bktheman
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Joined: 14 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 2


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Posted: 14 Jun 2004 Topic: Strange dead reptile - Scotland



Recently (13th June 2003) on a walk by sand dunes at Aberlady bay in East Lothian, Scotland, I came across what appeared to be a dead lizard. The tail was long and pointed. Not much of the animal remained, only the backbone and tail really, however the scaly skin was still visible which appeared to have several rows of spikes (like little sharks teeth) running the length of the spine and someway down the tail.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be?




bktheman
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Posted: 17 Jun 2004 Topic: Strange dead reptile - Scotland



I went back to the site the other day, picked up the remains, and took it to the local nature reserve warden. I must say he was a bit puzzled too. He said it was too big (over a foot long) to be any of our native lizards. After thinking about it for a while, I thought the only other thing it could probably have been (considering it was found by the sea) is perhaps a Thornback Ray or Roker, this would explain the "teeth" down the back and long tail as well as the scaly skin. There wasn't much else left of the animal, but I guess the local scavangers ripped off and ate most of the meaty parts and dropped the bony tail and indigestible parts some way behind the sand dunes. (Honestly, it really did look like some weird reptile remains!)

Of course, I am still holding out for confirmation of the nessie theory.

I'll keep you all posted if I get any update from the Warden.




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