We cover topics in paleontology to answer common questions about the field to educate and inspire readers of all ages to understand the prehistoric world.
The Devonian period was characterized by fish diversification and the emergence of tetrapods. All this ended abruptly as various factors contributed to a radical die-off of most marine life. The consequences of this mass extinction were far-reaching, altering the evolutionary trajectory of vertebrate life and restructuring marine ecosystems. What could have triggered such a massive and targeted extinction? About 375 … Continue Reading
When most people think of mass extinction, their first thought is the end of the dinosaurs. You probably ended up here in search of a much older extinction. We’re going to discuss the first mass extinction: the End-Ordovician event. While you’re better off staying to read up on the topic, I’m sure you want to cut to the chase. What … Continue Reading
Most of us know that humans and dinosaurs did not coexist. So when did people first know about dinosaurs? 2024 marks 200 years since the first dinosaur was described. That sounds kind of late given how long our species has been around. Why were dinosaurs discovered so late? Dinosaurs were first scientifically recognized in the early 19th century. William Buckland … Continue Reading
The fossilization process is a remarkable phenomenon. It allows us to study the forms of life that inhabited our planet millions, and even billions, of years ago. From the smallest microorganisms to the mightiest dinosaurs, fossils offer an unparalleled glimpse into the past, preserving the intricate details of ancient creatures and ecosystems. The oldest fossils are around 4 billion years … Continue Reading
The Congo Basin has always been home to myths and legends. Among these, the most bizarre is the myth of living dinosaurs. You too are probably here in search of the famous Mokele-mbembe. Mokele-mbembe is often described as a modern sauropod dinosaur hidden in the rainforests of Africa. Does Mokele-mbembe exist or is this just a legend? The Mokele-mbembe remains … Continue Reading
The Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie, has intrigued millions worldwide. Nestled in the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness is purportedly the home of this elusive creature. Is the Loch Ness Monster a dinosaur? Nessie is often thought to be a surviving plesiosaur. However, this is unlikely, as its reported neck posture, habitat preferences, and infrequent surface appearances are inconsistent … Continue Reading
You may have gone online to shop for dinosaur fossils. Have you ever wondered why dinosaur teeth, in particular, seem to be so readily available and affordable? Many sites offer teeth from famous dinosaurs such as Carcharodontosaurus or Spinosaurus. Yet, they are often priced lower than the jewelry you’re wearing right now. Why are dinosaur teeth so cheap? It comes … Continue Reading
Which came first, the dinosaur or the egg? The answer is, of course, the egg. The hard-shelled eggs we know today first evolved around 312 million years ago! Did dinosaurs lay eggs? Dinosaurs did not first appear until 230-240 million years ago. How do we know that dinosaurs laid eggs? How could something so big take care of something so … Continue Reading
In the movie Pacific Rim, massive monsters called kaiju are completely different from any animals on Earth. One scientist studying these monsters describes them by saying, “The kaiju are so large they need two brains to move around, like a dinosaur.” Say what? You may have heard this dinosaur ‘fact’ before in books or movies. Did dinosaurs have two brains? … Continue Reading
Amateur and professional paleontologists alike are bound to own a fossil or two in their lifetime. Some people stop there while others create huge collections. Some fossils in private collections might be personally collected by the owner, but a lot of the time these fossils were bought and sold. Who decides who can sell fossils and how much they should … Continue Reading