This is Wylie Brys, and he has a roaring story to tell!
Seven years ago, when he was just four years and 337 days old, Wylie Brys from Texas, USA, became the youngest person to discover a fossil of an unknown dinosaur species.
From a very young age, Wylie enjoyed going on fossil hunts with his dad, Tim, who works at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas.
One day, Wylie made an incredible discovery.
Right there, buried in the dirt, he found some rare, 100-million-year-old dinosaur bones. These bones changed his life forever!
Wiley’s monumental achievement made national and worldwide news media headlines, and seven years later, the bones are still being researched at Southern Methodist University.
As Wiley informed us, “The university is also working on naming it after me!”
What is more, Tim Brys, Wiley’s dad, worked with a friend to create a book about his story, hoping to inspire other kids to explore nature.
So, how does it feel to hold such an extraordinary record title?
Wiley said, “I never expected to find a dinosaur or break a world record, so this has all been super exciting. Once in a while, people recognise me [as the little boy who found the local dinosaur 7 years ago]. It’s hard to believe sometimes!”
Experts have confirmed that the bones belong to a group of dinosaurs called the Nodosaur. “It’s a really rare dinosaur,” Wylie’s dad informed us. “It’s possible it could even be a new species.”
Nodosaurs are about 4.5 metres (15 feet) long with hard, scaly plates on their back.
Wylie confirmed that he still likes dinosaurs: “Of course, the armoured Nodosaurs are my favourite kind, but unfortunately, I don’t have as much time as I used to for fossil hunting.
“Well-preserved sea urchin fossils are some of my favourites to find… when there aren’t any dinosaurs around!”
Now, at 13 years of age, he has multiple hobbies, such as karate, board games, and exploring nature.
Science, biology, and ecology are some of his favourite school subjects. When he grows up, he wants to be a mechanical engineer or marine biologist!
We hope all of Wylie’s dreams come true and welcome him to the Guinness World Records family.
