Traces of an ancient lizard that lived 152 million years ago have been found in Spain

The footprints are preserved in sandstone on the cliffs east of Playa de España beach. The rocks in which they are found formed about 152 million years ago, during the late Jurassic period.

The study is published in the scientific journal Ichnos.

Details

The researchers found two chains of footprints left by small reptiles. They estimate that one lizard may have reached about 50 centimetres in length and the other about 30 centimetres.

From the shape of the footprints, the scientists determined that they were left by lizards from the Rhynchosauroides group. These reptiles were widespread in earlier geological eras, but their footprints are extremely rare in the Jurassic period.

The Spanish find may be the latest known example of such tracks in the world.

Researchers also noticed a long streak in one of the tracks - likely a tail mark that stretched across the soft ground as the animal moved.

Significance

Scientists believe the find will help to better understand how small reptiles moved during the age of the dinosaurs.

To test their findings, the researchers conducted experiments with modern lizards - the pearl lizard and the bearded agama. The observations showed that similar tracks can appear when an animal abruptly starts moving or changes direction.

Backcountry

The tracks were preserved due to the conditions of the ancient environment. During the Jurassic period, the site of present-day Asturias was home to river deltas and lagoons, where soft mud allowed animal prints to persist.

Source

Laura Piñuela et al, First report of lizard trackways from the Jurassic of Europe, Ichnos (2026)