King of the Trilobites: The Discovery of Isotelus rex

Fossil Huntress — Palaeo Sommelier

Today we’re setting sail—back in time—to meet the king of the trilobites: Isotelus rex, the largest complete trilobite ever discovered.

Now, I know trilobites are often tiny—beautiful, delicate little creatures. But this one? This one was a behemoth.

Over 70 centimeters long, with a thick armored body and wide paddle-shaped tail, Isotelus rex was the apex of its kind, scuttling across the seafloor of a vast inland sea that once covered much of what we now call Canada.

But the fossil didn’t just appear. It was discovered by two dedicated scientists—Dr. David Rudkin and Dr. Graham Young—whose lives and work have been shaped by a passion for ancient life.

We’ll dive into their stories too. So grab a cup of something warm, sit back and enjoy this tale of discovery!