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paleontology

World’s oldest crocodile fossil discovered during walk on beach

World’s oldest crocodile fossil discovered during walk on beach

By Filipa Gaspar The world's oldest crocodile fossil has been found during a walk on the Jurassic Coast. Amateur fossil hunter Heather Salt initially mistook the find for a piece of wood with some nails in it. But she had discovered an exceptionally rare crocodile maxilla (upper jawbone)

Makoshika State Park in line for share of $1.25M Dinosaur Tail grant

GLENDIVE — Makoshika State Park and the Frontier Gateway Museum are co-beneficiaries of a $1.25 million state grant award that will ultimately support 12 communities across Montana. The Montana Department of Commerce named seven projects that will each receive $1.25 million in Tourism Development Grant funding, including the

‘Parrot-beaked’ reptile found in Brazil may have Scottish cousins

‘Parrot-beaked’ reptile found in Brazil may have Scottish cousins

By Stephen Beech A "parrot-beaked" reptile that lived alongside dinosaurs in Brazil 230 million years ago may have had relatives in Scotland, say scientists. The fossilized skull of the newly discovered species with a "parrot-like beak" was unearthed by paleontologists in southern Brazil in

Ancient ‘octopus’ fossil is actually a different species

Ancient ‘octopus’ fossil is actually a different species

By Stephen Beech A 300-million-year-old fossil hailed as the world's oldest "octopus" has turned out to be something else altogether. The artefact even featured in the Guinness Book of Records. But new research shows that it was a case of mistaken identity with

‘Treasure trove’ reveals animal diversity began earlier than thought

‘Treasure trove’ reveals animal diversity began earlier than thought

By Stephen Beech The discovery of a fossil "treasure trove" has pushed back the origins of animals at least four million years. The "exciting" find in China includes the remains of a creature that "looks like the sand worm from Dune." It has transformed

Scientists solve 75-million-year-old dinosaur ‘murder mystery’

Scientists solve 75-million-year-old dinosaur ‘murder mystery’

By Stephen Beech Tyrannosaurus rex was the ultimate cannibal — feeding on the carcasses of dead relatives, new research reveals. While tyrannosaurs are often portrayed as fearsome apex predators, a new study has uncovered a more practical side to the King of the Dinosaurs. State-of-the-art 3D scans of

Brain of flying reptile’s ancestor rebuilt to find out how they took flight

Brain of flying reptile’s ancestor rebuilt to find out how they took flight

By Stephen Beech The brain of a 233-million-year-old ancestor of the first flying reptiles has been reconstructed in a bid to work out how they took flight. Scientists say Venetoraptor was around 13 inches (33 centimeters) tall and had a beak and scythe-like claws on long