DINOSAURS

The online database covers nearly all the fossils discovered in New Zealand.

New Zealand Is the First Country to Open Its Fossil Database to the Public

New Zealand’s open-access fossil database makes it easier for scientists to collaborate.

Stenciled human hands in a cave near Rio Pinturas, Argentina, dating from the last ice age.

5 Misconceptions About Early Humans

We break down some common myths about our early human ancestors—and what makes our species, ‘Homo sapiens,’ so different from them.

Why Do So Many Little Kids Love Dinosaurs?

It’s common for many little kids to go through a “dinosaur phase.” Here’s why.

Asteroid That Wiped Out Dinosaurs Likely Came From the Outer Solar System

Chemical signatures from the Chicxulub asteroid’s impact—which caused a mass extinction on Earth 66 million years ago—match those of carbonaceous meteorites formed beyond Jupiter.

This $45 Million Stegosaurus Is Now the Most Expensive Fossil Ever Sold at Auction

"Apex" is among the most complete Stegosaurus specimens ever discovered.

Kaiden Madsen, Liam Fisher, and Jessin Fisher pose in front of their latest find. Their father, Sam Fisher, texted this photo to his high school classmate Tyler Lyson, setting the stage for a remarkable discovery.

Kids Unearth a Teenage ‘T. rex’ While Hiking in North Dakota

This “Teen Rex” was 25 feet long and weighed about 3500 pounds while alive.

‘T. rex’ Might Have Been as Smart as a Crocodile (But Not As Smart As We Thought)

Previously, a study suggested that the king of the dinosaurs was as intelligent as a primate. New data hints that this may not have been the case.

Frost Bite: When Sub-Zero Temperatures Shattered an Antarctic Explorer’s Teeth

“Polar exploration is at once the cleanest and most isolated way of having a bad time which has been devised,” he later wrote.

Animal Size Comparison (150+ Animals) | 3d Animation Comparison

See How the World's Smallest Creatures Stack Up Against the World's Biggest Animals

From tardigrades to T. Rex, this visualization puts the sizes of 150 animals into perspective.

Barnum Brown changed paleontology and pop culture forever by discovering Tyrannosaurus rex.

How Barnum Brown Discovered ‘T. rex’ and Became History’s Greatest Fossil Hunter

Like his most famous discovery, fossil hunter Barnum Brown was larger than life.

Celebrate the end of 2022 with these acclaimed book titles.

Mental Floss’s 16 Best Books of 2022

From 'The Candy House' by Jennifer Egan to 'Tracy Flick Can’t Win' by Tom Perrotta, discover the best books of 2022 according to Mental Floss.

A Dimetrodon at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada.

7 Prehistoric Creatures That Aren’t Dinosaurs

These prehistoric beasts deserve just as much recognition as their dinosaur peers.

A Historic Ranch in Dinosaur, Colorado, Is Hitting the Market for $15.5 Million

If you dreamed of becoming a paleontologist when you were younger, it's not too late to pursue your dinosaur-hunting ambitions.

"Volcanic Winters" May Have Allowed Big Dinosaurs to Emerge, Study Finds

A new study explains how T. rex's feathered ancestors may have survived the extinction event that wiped out nearly half of all quadrupeds.

Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins surrounded by his creations.

Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and the Great Dinosaur Utopia of Victorian England

Hawkins was the Steven Spielberg of his time—an artist and visionary who created an immersive world where giants still walked the Earth.

Researchers removing pterosaur skeleton from the beach.

Largest Pterosaur of Its Era Discovered on Scotland's Isle of Skye

The pterosaur fossil discovered on Scotland's Isle of Skye shows that flying reptiles grew to great sizes more quickly than previously believed.

Recreate an Iconic Scene From Jurassic Park With LEGO's New T. Rex Breakout Set

Pre-order LEGO's new 1212-piece T. Rex Breakout set, which lets you recreate an iconic scene from the film ‘Jurassic Park.'

Stomp Around the Neighborhood With Reebok’s New Jurassic Park Collection

Reebok has just released a new shoe and apparel collection based on Steven Spielberg's classic 1993 film 'Jurassic Park.'

An illustration of what Australotitan cooperensis may have looked like.

Meet 'Cooper,' a Recently Discovered Sauropod Believed to Be Australia’s Largest Dinosaur Species

Sauropod dinosaurs are known for their impressive size—and Australia’s newly discovered species doesn’t disappoint.

Utahraptor State Park will be located on land nearby Arches National Park, pictured here.

Utah Is Getting Two New State Parks

Utahraptor State Park owes its name to a massive, velociraptor-like dinosaur whose fossils were first found in the area.

Fossilized Dinosaur Nest With Parent and Embryos Discovered in China

Fossilized dinosaur nests are rare to begin with. The combination of eggs, embryos, and a mature dinosaur in a brooding pose in this recently discovered fossil is historic.

Jurassic Park Starring Pee-wee Herman Is as Hilarious as It Is Terrifying

Thanks to some clever editing, it's easy to mistake Pee-wee Herman's mischievous nature for bloodlust in this 'Jurassic Park' spoof.

Psittacosaurus may have attracted mates using its fetching rear end.

Rectum Mended Reading: Paleontologists Have Reconstructed a Dinosaur's Butthole to Understand Their Mating Habits

The rear end of a 'Psittacosaurus' fossil was so well-preserved that scientists were able to reconstruct it. It even had a little poop in it.

The Anchisaurus polyzelus is one of the dinosaur's duking it out for title of Massachusetts's state dino.

Massachusetts Could Be Getting a State Dinosaur—And You Can Help Choose Which One

Massachusetts already has its fair share of state symbols (including Boston cream pie and Boston cream doughnuts), but you can never have too many.