A new species of ancient reptile, about 11cm (4 inches) long with self sharpening teeth has been discovered in a quarry in Gloucestershire.
The predatory creature lived 205 million years ago and adds to knowledge that small reptiles did live alongside dinosaurs.
Harry Potter
The reptile is called ‘clevosaurus sectumsemper’, and is named after a spell (curse) that was invented by character Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter books. The curse ‘sectumsemper’ was used by Harry Potter against Malfoy, is the equivalent of an invisible sword, slashing at the victim.
The other part of the name, Clevosaurus, comes from the Latin for Gloucester, Clevum, which has been used to describe Gloucester lizards since 1939.
A spellbinding discovery: A new species of ancient reptile with self-sharpening teeth has been discovered in a quarry in Gloucestershire. The predatory creature (illustrated) lived 205 million years ago and has been named after a curse in Harry Potter
