Boy, 11, Unearths 15-Foot Marine Reptile Fossil

In September 2025, Corbin Bullard, then 11 years old, made a remarkable discovery during a geology club outing in a Kansas quarry. While searching for fossils, he found large vertebrae that led to the unearthing of an almost complete tylosaurus skeleton, measuring over 15 feet long. This ancient marine reptile roamed the seas approximately 82 to 87 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period.

The extensive fossil specimen, recovered by Bullard and his fellow Sedgwick County 4-H Club members over several excavation trips, includes the creature's enormous skull and the majority of its skeletal structure. The discovery occurred in the Smoky Hill Chalk formation, a geological area known for its ancient relics. Bullard, now 12, is preparing to showcase the tylosaurus skull at the Sedgwick County Fair in July, hoping for recognition of his diligent efforts.