Early humans roamed the planet with a colossal shaggy rhinoceros that scientists have dubbed the “Siberian unicorn.” The so-called unicorn, officially known as Elasmotherium sibericum, was a large rhinoceros that wandered Eastern Europe and Central Asia from 2.6 million years ago until just around 39,000 years ago. The animals weighed a staggering 4 tons and were adorned […] More
If you thought crocodiles were intimidating, you might be horrified to know that an aggressive, 9-ft-long crocodilian predator once patrolled its North American hunting grounds on hind legs, snacking on small mammals and reptiles. Carnufex carolinensis — also known as the “Carolina Butcher” — existed long before the dinosaurs rose to dominance, roughly 230 million years ago. The […] More
In an extremely rare find, researchers have discovered the fossil of an extinct animal—considered to be an early relative of mammals—lying next to her 38 babies. The fossils, unearthed from sediments in the Kayenta Formation, are the only known fossils of babies from a mammal precursor. The extraordinary number of offspring (more than twice the […] More
Think of the mammals that lived during the Age of Dinosaurs and tiny, shrew-like creatures scurrying around and hiding from larger reptilian predators probably come to mind. But newly-uncovered fossil specimens described in the journal Nature Communications paint a much different picture of a fearsome, fighting creature that would have been a threat not only to those smaller, […] More
Artistic rendering by Robert Boessenecker. A novel species of ancient toothless dolphin was discovered in the southern United States. The skull fossil, which was unearthed in a river near Charleston, South Carolina, contains holes indicative of enlarged lips or whiskers. In contrast to modern-day dolphins that grasp and tear prey with sharp teeth, this species would […] More
You’d think the “Jurassic Park” movies were cautionary tales, because, you know, tons of people died. But paleontologist Jack Horner, who served as a consultant on the film series, thinks it’s only a matter of time before science brings dinosaurs back for real — and he can’t wait. “It’s a terrific concept, right? I don’t care […] More
Gold Butte, NV. Image: Andrew Researchers just announced that they discovered tracks of an animal that existed before the dinosaurs. Twelve fossilized footprints were recently discovered in the sandstone area of Gold Butte, Nevada, dating back to the Permian Period. They are estimated to be about 290 million years old — existing long before the […] More
Skull fragment. Image: Oceana/Twitter ; Credit Timothy Myers A paleontologist just released a statement that he discovered the remains of a sea turtle that was previously unknown to science. About 65.5 million years ago, an asteroid struck Earth’s surface, leading to a mass extinction that wiped out around three-quarters of all species. However, an unlikely animal survived — […] More
When the first humans walked the earth, they weren’t at the top of the food chain. That distinction belonged to the Big Cats; giant felines that roamed the entire world, taking down big prey. They didn’t make it through the Ice Age, but their modern cousins are living proof of the staying power of these […] More
