In the scorching deserts of Namibia, an international team of scientists came across an exciting (and monstrous) discovery that’s shaking up our understanding of early vertebrate evolution. After three years of painstaking research, they’ve unearthed the fossilized remains of a colossal creature that once ruled ancient swamps and lakes – a fearsome predator that existed long before the age of dinosaurs.

Discovery of swamp monster that predates dinosaurs rewrites evolutionary history

Interesting Engineering

This new species, dubbed Fona herzogae, existed 99 million years ago in what is now Utah.

99 million-year-old fossil reveals new dinosaur species that lived in burrows

The Independent

A giant creature with a "toilet seat-shaped" head and huge fangs was a top predator 40 million years before the first dinosaurs evolved, new research reveals.The skull alone of Gaiasia jennyae was over 2ft long, say scientists.The salamander-like animal lived in swampy waters 300 million years ago with its jaws wide open, preparing to clamp down its interlocking jaws on any unsuspecting prey unwise enough to swim past. Study co-lead author Dr Jason Pardo, of the Field Museum in Chicago, USA, said: “Gaiasia jennyae was considerably larger than a person, and it probably hung out near the bottom of swamps...

Scientists discover huge creature with toilet seat-shaped head was top predator before dinosaurs

CBS News

Scientists have revealed fossils of a giant salamander-like beast with sharp fangs that ruled waters before the first dinosaurs arrived. The animal, researchers say, is roughly 272-million-year-old.The findings were published Wednesday in the journal Nature. The researchers dubbed the species Gaiasia jennyae, an hommage to Gai-as Formation in Namibia, where the fossil was found, and to Jenny Clack, a paleontologist who studied how vertebrates moved from water to land."Gaiasia jennyae was considerably larger than a person, and it probably hung out near the bottom of swamps and lakes," said Jason Pardo, an NSF postdoctoral fellow at the Field Museum in...

Giant creature with fangs was around long before dinosaurs, research reveals

The Natural History Museum is set to open a major green space in central London to support urban nature, scientific research and education, complete with a huge brand-new bronze dinosaur.Five acres wrapping around the building in South Kensington have been transformed into two gardens – the Nature Discovery Garden and the Evolution Garden, which tell the story of the changing natural world.The new landscape opens from Thursday as a free-to-visit “outdoor gallery” as well as a “living laboratory” to support nature recovery in the face of climate change, the museum said.The £25 million project is expected to be one of...

Natural History Museum opens new urban gardens complete with bronze dinosaur

A-Z-Animals

Dinosaurs were giant, toothy reptilian creatures that wandered the Earth for millions of years, constantly searching for food and defending their territories. They roamed the world during the Mesozoic, a geological period from 252 million to 66 million years ago.  But what lived before the dinosaurs? Surprisingly, Earth’s creatures were highly diverse during the Carboniferous […]

9 Massive Prehistoric Animals That Lived Before Dinosaurs

After three years of meticulous research, an international team of researchers has discovered a fossilized giant basal tetrapod in Namibia’s arid region. Basal tetrapods are early four-legged vertebrates that lived during the crucial transition from water to land. This three-meter-long skeleton, found in the Ugab River valley, is the...

Giant swamp creature found in Namibia was an ambush predator

LiveScience

Modern human DNA may have made up a surprisingly large amount of the Neanderthal genome, a new study finds.

Neanderthals didn't truly go extinct, but were rather absorbed into the modern human population, DNA study suggests

High up on the Tibetan Plateau, inside the Baishiya Karst Cave, unfolds a fascinating ancient human survival story. A recent study reveals that the Denisovans, an extinct human species, called this place home for countless millennia. Other than their notable genetic contributions to modern humans, very little is known about...

Mysterious Denisovan species of humans lived undisturbed in the mountains for 160,000 years

Oregon State

In Oregon, fossils are like gold and jewels hidden like a treasure chest. The land in Oregon has ancient fossils that can be found in everything from tiny plants and sea creatures to giant mammals that look like they belong in a fairy book. These aren’t only fascinating because they’re...

Our 56 Favorite Areas To Find Fossils in Oregon in 2024

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Manomet, MA

Dianna Carney

Prepare yourself for a walk through time, where history meets community! Pilgrim Hall Museum announced that their Executive Director, Dr. Donna Curtin, will guide "A Walk in the Park: Manomet Past & Present" at St. Catherine’s Chapel Park on Sunday, July 7th at 1 pm. For those unfamiliar with the area, St. Catherine’s Chapel Park is a beautiful, pastoral two-acre park located at 95 White Horse Road in Manomet, owned by the non-profit Simes House Foundation.

You're Invited To Step Into The Past & Discover The Hidden History Of Manomet

New York City, NY

Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Scientists at the University of Malaga have shown, in an unprecedented way, how the so-called "elephant graveyard" of the Early Pleistocene archaeological site of Orce—a name given due to the amount of remains of the extinct elephant species Mammuthus meridionalis that it contained—hid a natural trap in quicksand.

Scientists find a natural quicksand trap dated to more than one million years ago in the 'elephant graveyard' of Orce

This week, unravel the lives of an extinct human species, discover the oldest known narrative art, learn why Earth’s core is slowing, see operating ants, and more.

Rare fossil discovery sheds light on lives of mysterious human species

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NewSantaAna

The FBI has seen a rise in scams targeting timeshare owners. In this kind of scam, criminals con these part-time property owners into shelling out hefty sums of cash, all under false pretenses related to their timeshare properties.

FBI warns that Mexican cartels are targeting Americans with timeshare scams

Fareeha Arshad

Around 518 million years ago, Earth was populated by ancient worm-like creatures, one of which was a sizeable carnivorous worm recently unearthed in fossil form. Timorebestia koprii, these 'terror beasts' measured about 30 centimetres long and were formidable predators in the ancient oceans. Fossils of Timorebestia were discovered in North Greenland, and evidence suggests they preyed on bivalved arthropods known as Isoxys.

Terror Beasts of the Cambrian Seas Discovered in North Greenland

Virginia State

Virginia Wendy Williams fans, this is your July 2024 update on the former talk show host. Her best friend of 44 years, Regina Schell, has shared recent concerns with TV Show Aces and says she has not seen or talked to Wendy in more than a year.

Wendy Williams fans are worried after her best friend claims not to have heard from her in a year

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Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

What makes a Zodiac Sign low maintenance? Independence can make someone low maintenance. Someone who is reliable, dependable, and punctual, can make someone low maintenance. Someone who tends to want to do things on their own can be low maintenance. Low-maintenance people tend to be those people who do on their own but are not necessarily alone. They rarely need or ask for help. They are self-motivated, often energetic, and can be considered leaders is many cases. Now me, some say I am low maintenance and others say I’m high maintenance. Maybe I’m both. Let's see what zodiac signs are considered low-maintenance.

5 Zodiac Signs That Are Low Maintenance

The Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of the greatest prehistoric terrors. It is so frightening and violent that it has become a fixed icon in the social imagination. It has even achieved Hollywood star status through the Jurassic Park film series. As terrifying as this land dinosaur is, can you imagine if such a beast could […]

Meet the Spinosaurus – One of The Largest Carnivorous Dinosaur in History (Bigger than a T-Rex!)

NewsBreak

New dinosaur discovery is most complete skeleton ever found

Curiosity, it has driven humanity since the dawn of time. And sometimes, it’s what makes us stumble upon a surprising find on a peaceful walk along...

New dinosaur discovery is most complete skeleton ever found

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