A prehistoric reptile has left traces at the Grand Canyon

LAS VEGAS (AP) – A geology professor from Nevada claims to have recently identified fossilized traces of a reptile along a popular trail in Grand Canyon National Park.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Professor Steve Rowland, a professor at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, states that these pieces belong to a primitive reptile the size of a baby alligator and date back to about 315 million years.

The 28 footprints extend diagonally on a rock at the edge of the Bright Angel Trail of the Grand Canyon.

Rowland shared her findings at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology's annual meeting last month in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He hopes to submit a scientific article in January.

Rowland saw footprints for the first time last year while on a family vacation in the park after being briefed by another geologist.

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