Extinct Species

Fossil of Giant Freshwater Turtle Discovered
Scientists have discovered the fossil of a giant ancient turtle that had a shell nearly six feet in size. It lives between 40,000 and 9,000 years ago. (March 18, 2024)

Ancient Giant Sea Lizard Had Dagger-Like Teeth
Paleontologists from the University of Bath have announced the discovery of an ancient species of marine lizard with dagger-like teeth. (March 6, 2024)

Gunakadeit Joseeae Thalattosaur Had an Extremely Pointed Snout
The Gunakadeit Joseeae was a thalattosaur with an extremely pointed snout. A nearly complete fossil of the ancient marine reptile was found in southeast Alaska. (February 5, 2020)

Mosasaurs May Have Used Breast Stroke to Ambush Prey
Researchers have determined that mosasaurs may have been able to do the breast stroke for an extra burst of speed. (September 23, 2019)

Cryodrakon Boreas Was One of the Largest Flying Animals
Researchers have identified a new species of pterosaur from fossilized bones found in Alberta, Canada. It has been named Cryodrakon Boreas. (September 10, 2019)

Fossil of Giant Extinct Burrowing Bat Found in New Zealand
Researchers have a discovered the fossil of a previously unknown giant burrowing bat species in New Zealand. (January 11, 2018)

Giant Kangaroo-sized Flying Turkeys Once Roamed Australia
Scientists have discovered that a giant flying turkey species once lived in Australia. It weighs about four times as much as a modern brush turkey. (June 14, 2017)

Earliest Beardogs Lived in Texas 38 Million Years Ago
Scientists have identified fossils of the earliest and most primitive members of the beardog family. (October 11, 2016)

Fossil of New Bone-Crushing Dog Species Discovered in Maryland
The fossil of a previously unknown species of a dog was discovered in Maryland. It belonged to a group of extinct bone-crushing dogs. (May 14, 2016)

Ancient Tibet Mountain Sheep Species Discovered
Scientists have discovered fossil evidence of an ancient species of mountain sheep from Tibet. (May 14, 2016)

Dodos May Have Been Smart Say Scientists
The extinct dodo bird has become a symbol of stupidity in modern culture. However, scientists say the bird may have been quite intelligent. (February 24, 2016)

Extinct Glyptodonts Were Gigantic Armadillos Say Scientists
Scientists say the extinct creatures known as glyptodonts were actually gigantic armadillos according to DNA evidence. (February 23, 2016)

New Species of Extinct Worm Lizard Discovered in Texas
Scientists have discovered the fossilized skull of a previously unknown species of worm lizard in Texas. It has been dubbed the Lone Star lizard. (February 19, 2016)

Fossils Show How Trilobites Attacked Their Prey
Scientists have found fossil evidence that provides insight into how trilobites found and captured their prey 500 million years ago. (February 17, 2016)

Human Hunting Linked to Extinction of Giant Australian Bird
Scientists have linked the extinction of a giant Australian bird that went extinct about 50,000 years ago to hunting by ancient humans. (February 1, 2016)

Scientists Find First Fossil of Four-Legged Snake
Scientists have found a 113-million-year-old fossil of a four-legged snake. It is the first four-legged snake fossil discovered. (July 24, 2015)

Face of the Unusual Ancient Hallucigenia Creature Revealed
The face of the unusual ancient creature Hallucigenia has been revealed thanks to the discovery of new fossils. Researchers also reconstructed its walking gait. (June 25, 2015)

Ancient Arthropod Was Seven Feet Long
A fossil has been discovered of one of the biggest arthropods that ever lived. It is named Aegirocassis benmoulae. (March 12, 2015)

Ancient Swamp Creature Had Lips Like Jagger
An ancient swamp creature, named Jaggermeryx, had big, sensitive lips. (September 13, 2014)

Scientists Recreate Walk of the Trigonotarbid Using Computer Software
Scientists have recreated the walk of the trigonotarbid, an ancient arachnid, using computer software. (July 10, 2014)

Extinct Bird Had Wingspan of Over 20 Feet
A bird that lived 25 to 28 million years ago had a huge wingspan of over 20 feet. It could glide for long distances using its enormous wings. (July 8, 2014)

Paleontologists Discover Fossil of Ancient Tubular Organism
Paleontologists have discovered a fossil of an ancient organism resmebling a tapeworm or flatworm. (May 9, 2014)

Fossil of Oldest Known Pterodactyloid Discovered
Scientists have discovered the fossil of the oldest known Pterodactyloid. (April 24, 2014)

Researchers Find Fossilized Embryos That Are Over 500 Million Years Old
Researchers have found fossilized embyos that are over 500 million years old. They date back to the Cambrian period. (April 10, 2014)

Ancient Ostracods Found Buried Alive With Brood
Scientists have found well preserved fossils of ancient ostracods buried alive with brood. One of the crustaceans is a new species and is named after the goddess Lucina. (March 16, 2014)