Could dinosaurs still exist somewhere in the world? A paleontologist explains

It’s fun to imagine secret dinosaur survivors living today, hidden in a remote corner of Earth. But the truth of who made it through the extinction event 66 million years ago may surprise you.

Hans Sues, Senior Research Geologist and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
Aug. 12, 2024 • ~7 min

New fossil brings us a step closer to unravelling the mystery of feather evolution

Understanding more about feathers could change the way we think about dinosaurs.

Maria McNamara, Professor, Palaeobiology, University College Cork • conversation
May 21, 2024 • ~7 min

Why evolution often favours small animals and other organisms

Ever been made to feel small? Here’s why being petite is no bad thing.

Tim Rock, PhD Candidate in Biology, University of Bath • conversation
May 9, 2024 • ~8 min

Fossilized dinosaur eggshells can preserve amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, over millions of years

Calcite, the material making up fossilized eggshells, may preserve amino acids better than bone.

Evan Thomas Saitta, Postdoctoral Scholar in Paleontology, University of Chicago • conversation
April 9, 2024 • ~9 min

Growing quickly helped the earliest dinosaurs and other ancient reptiles flourish in the aftermath of mass extinction

By examining fossilized bone tissue, a new study finds rapid growth was an asset for survivors of the Great Dying 250 million years ago, Earth’s largest mass extinction event.

Kristi Curry Rogers, Professor of Biology and Geology, Macalester College • conversation
April 3, 2024 • ~9 min

A brief guide to birdwatching in the age of dinosaurs

If you love learning about dinosaurs don’t let crowdpleasers like the T Rex distract you from the fascinating birdlife that once roamed the Earth.

Abi Crane, Postgraduate Researcher in Palaeontology, University of Southampton • conversation
March 11, 2024 • ~6 min

Titanosaurs were the biggest land animals Earth’s ever seen − these plant-powered dinos combined reptile and mammal traits

Some of these giant vegetarians were as tall as a 3-story building. Microscopic analysis of their teeth, bones and eggshells reveals how they grew, what they ate and even their body temperature.

Kristi Curry Rogers, Professor of Biology and Geology, Macalester College • conversation
March 7, 2024 • ~9 min

A Nasa mission that collided with an asteroid didn’t just leave a dent – it reshaped the space rock

The mission provided details about how to deflect an asteroid should one threaten Earth in future.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Feb. 26, 2024 • ~7 min

Newly identified prehistoric pterosaur will help us understand evolution of flying reptiles

The Isle of Skye has a rich palaeontological heritage, so perhaps it’s no surprise scientists made an important discovery there.

Paul Barrett, Individual Merit Researcher, Natural History Museum • conversation
Feb. 6, 2024 • ~7 min

A newly identified ‘Hell chicken’ species suggests dinosaurs weren’t sliding toward extinction before the fateful asteroid hit

Rather than a juvenile of a known species, several fossilized bones represent a new species – and shed light on the question of whether dinosaurs were already in decline before disaster struck.

Eric Snively, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Oklahoma State University • conversation
Jan. 24, 2024 • ~10 min

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