Paleontology

112-million-year-old insect found trapped in Ecuadorian amber reveals Gondwana’s past

Amber, a fossilised form of tree resin, can date back as far as 320 million years. Scientists have observed a sharp increase in amber presence between 120 million and 70 million years ago.

Armoured Dinosaur: Ankylosaur with 3-foot spikes protruding from its neck found in Morocco

The dinosaur stretched about four metres long with a turtle-like body. Around its neck, metre-long spikes extended from both sides.

India’s first well-preserved 200-million-year-old Phytosaur skeleton and egg fossils discovered in Rajasthan

The fossil, measuring about two metres, was uncovered last week just 45 kilometres from Jaisalmer. Alongside the remains, experts also spotted what appeared to be a fossilised egg, possibly linked to the reptile.

Walk together, survive together: Dinosaur footprints reveal first clues of mixed-species herding

Researchers recently discovered an ancient tracksite during a field course. The site reveals footprints from multiple dinosaur species moving together.

'Wonder’ fossil of reptile with feathers unlocks secrets of reptile evolution

Experts had long believed feathers came from dinosaurs and birds. But Mirasaura, which predates dinosaurs, shows that complex skin forms evolved independently.

Whale Valley: Sahara’s Whale graveyard tells the tale of walking whales that once had feet and toes

Whale Valley, or Wadi Al-Hitan, sits tucked in the Egyptian Sahara. It is scattered with fossilised whale skeletons, many dating back over 40 million years.

Armoured monstersaur lizard species from the dinosaur era discovered in Utah

A raccoon-sized lizard with bony armour has been discovered in southern Utah.

Meet Titanoboa: The 50-Foot Monster Snake From 60 Million Years Ago

Meet Titanoboa, the world’s largest snake that once slithered through ancient rainforests, over 50 feet long and incredibly powerful.

Scientists discover Traskasaura sandrae: Mystery of 85-million-year-old sea monster solved

This long-necked marine reptile lived around 85 million years ago. At 12 metres long, Traskasaura sandrae had strong, sharp teeth ideal for crushing shells.

A long-lost dinosaur mass grave with thousands of fossils found in Canada’s “River of Death”

Palaeontologists are astonished by the dense fossil remains. The bone bed stretches nearly a kilometre in length. At its heart are fossils of Pachyrhinosaurus, horned dinosaurs from 73 million years ago.

Ikaria Wariootia: Meet the ancient wormlike creature identified as the earliest animal ancestor

Ikaria wariootia existed during the Ediacaran period, a period of time prior to the renowned Cambrian explosion.

'Three-eyed' sea predator from 500 million years ago discovered in Canada

No animal alive today resembles Mosura fentoni. It had two jointed claws and a third eye in the centre of its head.

Fossil of an ancient tegu lizard discovered in Florida with the help of AI

Scientists named it Wautaugategu formidus. The name “Wautauga” comes from a nearby forest. “Formidus”, Latin for “warm”, nods to its time period.

Scientists discover 220-million-year-old dinosaur, Maleriraptor kuttyi, that once roamed India

Maleriraptor kuttyi lived during the Norian age of the Triassic period. It belonged to the Herrerasauria group — an early branch of predatory dinosaurs.

Fossil of terrifying prehistoric land crocodile discovered in the Caribbean islands

The fossils found in 2023 included a single tooth and two spine bones. The tooth matches those of South American sebecids.

World’s oldest ant found: 113-million-year-old ‘hell ant’ fossil discovered in Brazil

The 113-million-year-old fossil was unearthed in the Crato Formation in northeast Brazil. The area is already renowned for its superior fossil preservation.

Meet Inostrancevia: The ancient predator that roamed before dinosaurs after Earth's worst extinction

The Permian-Triassic extinction eliminated almost 90 percent of all species. The devastating loss came after violent volcanic eruptions throughout the Siberian Traps.

Meet Deinosuchus: A prehistoric 'terror crocodile' that once hunted dinosaurs and dominated Earth

Deinosuchus had a wide snout like an alligator’s. But unlike alligators, it thrived in salty waters. It lived between 82 and 75 million years ago.

Meet Vasuki Indicus: World's largest snake found in India after decades

Researchers identified the snake as Vasuki indicus. It was uncovered at the Panandhro Lignite Mine in Kutch.

Meet Sirenobethylus charybdis: Bizarre wasp with ‘venus flytrap’ abdomen found after 99M years

A 99-million-year-old wasp fossil buried in amber, which shows an unusual, jaw-like abdominal trait, implies an horrific technique for holding victims immobile to fertilize eggs and has shocked researchers and given us new insight into the behavior of ancient insects.

Massive claws from a mysterious feathered dinosaur species unearthed after 90 million years