Search fossil research and resources

57+ min ago (681+ words) Researchers have dated vertebrae from a massive prehistoric shark thought to have ruled the waves off northern Australia back to further in the Cretaceous period than was previously known WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- In the age of dinosaurs " before whales, great whites or the bus-sized megalodon " a monstrous shark prowled the waters off what's now northern Australia, among the sea monsters of the Cretaceous period. Researchers studying huge vertebrae discovered on a beach near the city of Darwin say the creature is now the earliest known mega-predator of the modern shark lineage, living 15 million years earlier than enormous sharks found before. And it was huge. The ancestor of today's 6-meter (20-foot) great white shark was thought to be about 8 meters (26 feet) long, the authors of a paper published in the journal Communications Biology said. "Cardabiodontids were ancient, mega-predatory sharks that are…...

3+ hour, 28+ min ago (823+ words) Dec. 13, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend. It has been an exciting week in science news, with our understanding of human evolution and animal behavior taking interesting turns. But before we dip into matters on Earth, let's look to the skies and see what we've discovered in space. Finally, in a bit of out-of-this-world holiday news, Jupiter will be big and bright in the skies this month, making some wonder if it could have been the Star of Bethlehem described in the story of Jesus' birth. We'll never know for sure, but it's unlikely. And closer to home, a particle detector buried deep underground in South Dakota has found no hints of elusive dark matter. The particle accelerator was searching for a…...

13+ hour, 53+ min ago (240+ words) Published Dec 12, 2025 1:35 PM EST A remarkably well-preserved dinosaur fossil has arrived at the Smithsonian's National Museum of National History. According to the institution's announcement, the nearly complete skull of a Pachycephalosaurus is set to make its public debut on December 22 in the FossiLab'the museum's working specimen preparation laboratory. "This skull is by far the most spectacular specimen of this type of dinosaur that we have at the museum," said Matthew Carrano, a paleontologist and the museum's Dinosauria curator. "We almost never get to see the animal's face or the teeth or other parts of the head because they usually have broken away." The largely intact skull is a relatively recent discovery. In 2024, paleontologists unearthed the specimen in South Dakota at the Hell Creek Formation. The region is famous for a diverse fossil array spanning the 1.5 million years leading up to…...

16+ hour, 43+ min ago (396+ words) 70 million-year-old "ghost tracks" found in bolivia, are dinosaurs hiding a big secret? Nearly 18,000 dinosaur footprints have been uncovered at the Carreras Pampa tracksite in Bolivia, making it the largest recorded site of dinosaur tracks ever found. Carreras Pampa, located within Torotoro National Park, has become a key site for understanding the movement and behaviors of ancient dinosaurs. The footprints are thought to date back around 70 million years, when the region, now dry and arid, was actually a lush and humid landscape. But while the traces are plentiful, the absence of fossilized bones leaves some uncertainty about exactly which dinosaurs were responsible for them. According to Ra'l Esperante, a paleontologist from the Geoscience Research Institute, the site features more than 16,600 three-toed footprints, along with hundreds of additional prints, including tail drag marks and swim imprints. With1,321 individual trackways, it has become the…...

18+ hour, 56+ min ago (907+ words) Chris is the co-founder of 'Animals Around The Globe' and a fervent wildlife enthusiast with extensive travels across diverse ecosystems worldwide. From exploring the marine wonders in the Azores and witnessing the vast savannas of Kenya, to delving deep into the rich biodiversity of South Africa and traversing iconic landscapes in Australia and the US like Yellowstone, Chris's experiences are vast. With a penchant for diving alongside sharks, the ocean holds a special place in his heart. Through his academic insights, he champions wildlife conservation, striving with 'Animals Around The Globe' to cultivate a profound connection between humans and animals, enhancing our mutual appreciation. Connect with him at [email protected]. In an ever-changing world where adaptation is key to survival, one creature stands as a remarkable testament to evolutionary perfection'the horseshoe crab. Often referred to as "living fossils," these ancient arthropods…...

19+ hour, 58+ min ago (1665+ words) Home " Wildlife " Fish " Mojarra Fish Do you want to learn about the Mojarra Fish? Fish are an integral part of many households, as companions or in dishes. With unparalleled diversity in species, size and appearance, there is one type of fish suited for all aquarists. Is the Mojarra maybe the fish for you? From goldfish to Mojarra, not only can they provide companionship, but studies indicate caring for a pet can bring numerous physical and mental health benefits. Do you have a pet fish? If so, you may be familiar with the mojarra fish. Mojarra makes an excellent pet choice for those looking for simplicity in caring. These hardy, beautiful additions are sure to please aquarists everywhere! Let's explore them in more detail and provide tips on how to care for them." Mojarra fish is also known by its scientific…...

20+ hour, 40+ min ago (938+ words) Home " Wildlife " 23 Ancient Animals that Still Alive Today Often cited as one of the oldest species on Earth, the horseshoe crab has existed for over 450 million years. Despite their name, horseshoe crabs are more closely related to arachnids than crustaceans. Their unique, smooth, and helmet-like shell and blue blood'rich in copper'are hallmarks of their ancient lineage. Once thought to be extinct, the coelacanth gained legendary status when it was rediscovered in 1938 off the coast of South Africa. Known for its distinctive lobed pectoral fins and a lineage tracing back 400 million years, this deep-sea dweller has provided valuable insights into the evolution of land-dwelling vertebrates. The Nautilus, with its beautifully coiled shell, has gracefully swum through the oceans for 500 million years. These cephalopods are known for their buoyancy control and striking design, which helps them glide along the ocean's currents. Their…...

21+ hour, 35+ min ago (1322+ words) Chris is the co-founder of 'Animals Around The Globe' and a fervent wildlife enthusiast with extensive travels across diverse ecosystems worldwide. From exploring the marine wonders in the Azores and witnessing the vast savannas of Kenya, to delving deep into the rich biodiversity of South Africa and traversing iconic landscapes in Australia and the US like Yellowstone, Chris's experiences are vast. With a penchant for diving alongside sharks, the ocean holds a special place in his heart. Through his academic insights, he champions wildlife conservation, striving with 'Animals Around The Globe' to cultivate a profound connection between humans and animals, enhancing our mutual appreciation. Connect with him at [email protected]. When we think of koalas, we typically envision adorable furry creatures nestled in eucalyptus trees, munching lazily on leaves. These iconic Australian marsupials have captivated our hearts with their teddy bear-like…...

22+ hour, 10+ min ago (438+ words) The mosasaur may have occupied a similar niche to modern-day saltwater crocodiles A giant ocean predator that terrorised the seas during the time of the dinosaurs may have also hunted in rivers, a tooth fossil discovered in North Dakota suggests. The extinct lizard-like reptile grew up to 12 metres (40 ft) in length and may have occupied a similar niche to modern-day saltwater crocodiles, say researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden. Until now, these terrifying giant aquatic reptiles with a bulky skull and powerful jaws were thought to be sea-dwelling predators, exclusively hunting in the oceans. Now, a 66-million-year-old mosasaur tooth fossil has been found in the Hell Creek Formation in North Dakota that bears signs of exposure to river water. Researchers dub the species the "King of the Riverside" in the new study published in the journal BMC Zoology. In the…...

22+ hour, 15+ min ago (568+ words) Home " News " The World's Largest Flightless Bird Was Even Bigger Than an Ostrich Imagine a bird so large that it dwarfs even the mighty ostrich, the present-day titan of flightless birds. Meet the Aepyornis, commonly known as the elephant bird, a creature of extraordinary proportions that once roamed the island of Madagascar. These birds stand as a testament to the islands' once rich biodiversity. The existence of the elephant bird has fascinated researchers for decades. Initial discoveries of their massive bones and colossal eggs date back to the 19th century. These remnants provided paleontologists with crucial insights into the bird's classification within the order Aepyornithiformes and family Aepyornithidae. Aepyornis maximus, one of the largest species of elephant birds, could grow to over 10 feet tall and weigh more than half a ton. This made them the largest birds to ever walk the…...