Fossils

Earth

New beetle species found in fossil poop of this dino relative

Whole beetles preserved in fossilized reptilian poop suggest that ancient droppings may deserve a closer look.

Fossils

Dinosaur families appear to have lived in the Arctic year-round

Fossils of baby dinosaurs in northern Alaska challenge the idea that northern dinosaurs only spent their summers in the high Arctic.

Fossils

Ancient creature revealed as lizard, not a teeny dinosaur

CT scans of 99-million-year-old fossils of hummingbird-sized specimens trapped in amber reveal a number of lizardlike features.

Archaeology

Fossils unearthed in Israel reveal possible new human ancestor

They come from a previously unknown Stone Age group that may represent a complex mashup of early members of our genus Homo.

Fossils

Sudden shark die-off 19 million years ago eliminated most species

New fossil evidence shows 90 percent of sharks died in the mysterious event.

Animals

Let’s learn about dinosaurs’ fearsome neighbors

Dinosaurs may get much of our attention, but there were plenty of other interesting critters during the Age of Reptiles, including our mammal ancestors.

Animals

The secret to T. rex‘s incredible biting force is at last revealed

The force of a T. rex bite was roughly 6 metric tons. A new study points to what’s behind that mighty force.

Humans

How scientists can get a better picture of our extinct relatives

Facial reconstructions of extinct species have historically been more art than science. Some researchers hope to change that.

Fossils

Rhinos, camels and bone-crushing dogs once roamed Nebraska

Scientists digging into the remnants of an ancient watering hole in Nebraska discovered evidence of an Africa-like savanna, complete with rhinos.

Plants

Dinosaur-killing asteroid radically changed Earth’s tropical forests

The asteroid collision initially reduced the diversity in what had been sunny tropical rainforests. In time, the forests would become permanently darker.

Fossils

Scientists Say: Dinosaur

Dinosaurs emerged between 243 and 233 million years ago. While some died out 66 million years ago, others are still with us — birds.

Fossils

An ancient hippo-sized reptile may have been a speedy beast

An Anteosaurus was a hefty reptile with a large snout. Its fossil skull hints that it may have moved fast for its time.