Bruce the Mosasaur: A Prehistoric Giant of Morden, Manitoba

Bruce the Mosasaur, a Tylosaurus pembinensis, is a world-renowned fossil displayed in Morden, Manitoba. This marine reptile, which lived approximately 80 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period, measures over 13 meters (43 feet) in length. Bruce is the largest publicly displayed mosasaur in the world, holding the Guinness World Record since 2014.Discovered in 1974 near Thornhill, just west of Morden, Bruce's skeleton was remarkably complete, with 65-70% of the original bones recovered. During Bruce's time, the area was part of the Western Interior Seaway, a vast ocean that split North America in two. This seaway stretched from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, teeming with diverse marine life. Bruce was a top predator in this environment, feeding on plesiosaurs and ammonites.The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre commissioned a life-sized replica of Bruce, further enhancing the visitor experience. While the original bones are carefully preserved, the replica provides a stunning visual representation of this ancient creature. Morden has the best marine reptile collection in Canada, making it a significant destination for those interested in paleontology.