Paleontology - Images
Prehistoric park triceratops
![BREEDING ADULT BREEDING ADULT NORMAL ADULT](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/340/ec3.jpeg)
![BREEDING ADULT BREEDING ADULT NORMAL ADULT](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/340/ec3.jpeg)
Paleontology
Prehistoric park critters
![veeeart@gmail](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/339/2fb.jpeg)
![veeeart@gmail](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/339/2fb.jpeg)
Paleontology
The giant claw
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/338/8dc.jpeg)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/338/8dc.jpeg)
Paleontology
Cryptoclidus
![BBC Worldwide 1999](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/336/011.jpeg)
![BBC Worldwide 1999](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/336/011.jpeg)
Paleontology
Planet of the dinosaurs
![SUPPLEMENT TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE. DECEMBER 200 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GILBERT M. GROSVENOR, CHAIRMAN Jon M. FAY, J., PASIDENT AND CEO CHRIS Joems, EnerOR IN CHE CHARLES BLOW, ART DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE ART: PIELAISE STUDIOS RENEGADE 9 LAMARGASAURUS AND STYRAGOSAURUS 422 SOUTH (BASE MODELS) ART DIRECTION: JEFFREY LOSBORN BUNING MEDIA DESIGN OLIVER UBERTY CONSULTANT JOSH SMITH PALEOGRAPHIC MAPS CR SCOTEM e 2007 PALFOMAP PROJECT MAUREEN FLYNN PRODUCTION DIANNE HUNT FOR INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABLE MAPS CALL 10021640 OR WRITE TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAPS, PO BOX 4307, EVERGREEN CO 0437-435/ YOU CAN FIND US ON THE INTERNET AT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.COM/MAFS COPYRIGHT © 2007 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, WASHINGTON, DC PRINTED OCTOBER 2007 North America Antarctica Australia Axia CHINA LAURASIA THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE Ornamentation arose as a defining trend among northern dinosaurs, especially late in their reign. Titans such as Mamenchisaurus gave way to a profusion of smaller, faster herbivores with spikes, crests, and horns. Pale- ontologists say these features suggest advanced social behavior, since they often relate to attracting mates and recognizing members of the species. To hunt these smarter herbivores, theropods became more sophisti- cated, combining larger brains with brawn, eventually yielding the most famous dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex. MAMENCHISAURUS Its 36-foot-long neck is the longest known of any dinosaur. The shape of the vertebrae indicates the Asian herbivore did not raise its head far above its shoulders TYRANNOSAURUS Scientists continue to study this dinosaur icon, first dug up in Wyoming in 1900. New analysis suggests it scavenged as well as hunted. GIGANTORAPTOR This hulking beaked dinosaur stalked what is now China. It lacked teeth, and its diet is uncertain, but large claws would have made it an effective hunter. O PARASAUROLOPHUS The hollow bone atop its skull resembles an antler, but this duck-billed dinosaur, found in North America, probably used it to make trumpeting sounds. OERKETU The Mongolian sauropod's neck extended some 25 feet, twice as long as its torso. The construction of its vertebrae signals that it browsed mainly near the ground. OVELOCIRAPTOR Discovered in the Gobi desert, this fleet, feathered theropod had a killer advantage: A sickle-shaped claw on each hind leg snapped forward like a switchblade. SINOSAUROPTERYX The first evidence of dinosaurs with primitive feathers came with this 1996 discovery in China. A fossil found with a kill in its stomach confirms it as a carnivore OTUOJIANGOSAURUS Excavated in China, this stegosaur's bony back plates and shoulder spikes made the plant-eater look bigger than it was, perhaps deterring predators MONONYKUS Scientists speculate that this Mongolian theropod used its single-clawed forelimbs to dig insects out of underground burrows, similar to an anteater's technique. STYRACOSAURUS Found in Alberta, Canada, it probably traveled in herds. The nose horn could have fended off theropods, while its horned frill likely impressed mates EQUATOR South G America 0 Africa NDWANA Laurasia fragmented relatively quickly after its split from Gondwana, which some scientists believe accounts for the broad diversity of dinosaurs in the Northern Hemisphere. Once isolated from each other, dinosaur populations in what would become North America, Europe, and Asia pursued separate evo lutionary paths, a process that occurred much later in Gondwana, which took longer to break up. 166 MILLION MAMENCHISAURUS TUOJIANGOSAURUS 144 SINOSAUROPTERYX ERKETU YEARS AGO JURASSIC CRETACEOUS VELOCIRAPTOR GIGANTORAPTOR America SUPPLEMENT TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 200 North LAU America QUATON Afric South G America O The cluster of future continents within Gondwana started drifting apart 180 million years ago, during the middle of the Jurassic. Forty million years later, a a seam running the length of the landmass began to broaden, giving rise to the South Atlantic (map, right). When the dinosaur era ended (far right), most of the modern pieces of the Southern Hemisphere had not yet reached their current positions, and India was still heading toward its collision with Asia. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PLANET OF THE DINOSAURS When dinosaurs emerged some 230 million years ago, Earth was ripe for a takeover. The massive Permian extinction had wiped out many potential competitors, and continental drift had created a supercontinent, Pangaea, that stretched from Pole to Pole. Over many millions of years dinosaurs proliferated, adapting to every terrestrial environment. Gradually Pangaea separated into the great landmasses of Gondwana in the south and Laurasia in the north, dividing dinosaurs into two main populations that evolved mostly in isolation from each other until they all met their end 65 million years ago. More than 550 species of dinosaurs have been named, and scientists estimate that more than a thousand others are waiting to be found. GONDWANA THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE "Size matters" seems to be the theme of an evolutionary arms race that unfolded in the south. Plant-eating sauro- pods got bigger, leading to behemoths like Paralititan that were less vulnerable to smaller predators. Flesh- eating theropods gained size in turn: The monstrous likes of Carcharodontosaurus tackled the largest sauro- pods. The south is now the Wild West of paleontology, as scientists refine their understanding of its giants and the smaller dinosaurs that lived among them. Compared with the Northern Hemisphere, it's barely been touched. OPARALITITAN One of the largest land animals ever, the 90-foot-long titanosaur, dug up in Egypt, navigated shallow coastal channels, perhaps browsing the tops of mangroves SPINOSAURUS Arguably Earth's largest known land predator, it stalked coastal habitats in North Africa, hunting with croc-like teeth and claws capable of shredding big prey. AFROVENATOR The teeth and claws of the "African hunter" resemble those of theropods in the Northern Hemisphere, offering clues about how early predatory dinosaurs dispersed. ONIGERSAURUS With a vacuum-cleaner-shaped mouth, filled with tiny teeth, it grazed along rivers that laced today's Sahara, perhaps using its long neck to reach water plants. MAJUNGASAURUS Among the last dinosaurs to walk the Earth, this hunter dominated Madagascar. Evidence indicates it probably ate members of its own species. OMASIAKASAURUS Quick and agile, it dodged larger Madagascan carnivores, such as Majungasaurus, while using its own curved, daggerlike teeth to stab smaller creatures. LEAELLYNASAURA Found in Australia, which was then closer to the South Pole and dark much of the year, it had big optic lobes in its brain that hint at good night vision. OCARNOTAURUS Puny arms-tinier than T. rex's forelimbs -contrast with the long legs and formidable jaws of this horned Patagonian carnivore, the "meat-eating bull." O AMARGASAURUS Dwarfed by its multi-ton cousins, this sauropod found in Argentina bore a double row of vertebral spines, which possibly supported sails of ligaments and skin. CARCHARODONTOSAURUS A huge skull, shark-like teeth, and powerful legs made it a fast and deadly killer that possibly fed on large sauropods like Paralititan. LEAELLYNASAURA EXTINCTION 166 MILLION 144 AMARGASAURUS AFROVENATOR TEARS AGO NIGERSAURUS CARCHARODONTOSAURUS TEARS AGO JURASSIC CRETACEOUS PARASAUROLOPHUS TYRANNOSAURUS 65 MILLION STYRACOSAURUS PARALITITAN SPINOSAURUS CARNOTAURUS MADAGARAY MAJUNGASAURUS EXTINCTION 65 MILLION MASIAKASAURUS YEARS AGO](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/332/122.jpeg)
![SUPPLEMENT TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE. DECEMBER 200 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GILBERT M. GROSVENOR, CHAIRMAN Jon M. FAY, J., PASIDENT AND CEO CHRIS Joems, EnerOR IN CHE CHARLES BLOW, ART DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE ART: PIELAISE STUDIOS RENEGADE 9 LAMARGASAURUS AND STYRAGOSAURUS 422 SOUTH (BASE MODELS) ART DIRECTION: JEFFREY LOSBORN BUNING MEDIA DESIGN OLIVER UBERTY CONSULTANT JOSH SMITH PALEOGRAPHIC MAPS CR SCOTEM e 2007 PALFOMAP PROJECT MAUREEN FLYNN PRODUCTION DIANNE HUNT FOR INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABLE MAPS CALL 10021640 OR WRITE TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAPS, PO BOX 4307, EVERGREEN CO 0437-435/ YOU CAN FIND US ON THE INTERNET AT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.COM/MAFS COPYRIGHT © 2007 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, WASHINGTON, DC PRINTED OCTOBER 2007 North America Antarctica Australia Axia CHINA LAURASIA THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE Ornamentation arose as a defining trend among northern dinosaurs, especially late in their reign. Titans such as Mamenchisaurus gave way to a profusion of smaller, faster herbivores with spikes, crests, and horns. Pale- ontologists say these features suggest advanced social behavior, since they often relate to attracting mates and recognizing members of the species. To hunt these smarter herbivores, theropods became more sophisti- cated, combining larger brains with brawn, eventually yielding the most famous dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex. MAMENCHISAURUS Its 36-foot-long neck is the longest known of any dinosaur. The shape of the vertebrae indicates the Asian herbivore did not raise its head far above its shoulders TYRANNOSAURUS Scientists continue to study this dinosaur icon, first dug up in Wyoming in 1900. New analysis suggests it scavenged as well as hunted. GIGANTORAPTOR This hulking beaked dinosaur stalked what is now China. It lacked teeth, and its diet is uncertain, but large claws would have made it an effective hunter. O PARASAUROLOPHUS The hollow bone atop its skull resembles an antler, but this duck-billed dinosaur, found in North America, probably used it to make trumpeting sounds. OERKETU The Mongolian sauropod's neck extended some 25 feet, twice as long as its torso. The construction of its vertebrae signals that it browsed mainly near the ground. OVELOCIRAPTOR Discovered in the Gobi desert, this fleet, feathered theropod had a killer advantage: A sickle-shaped claw on each hind leg snapped forward like a switchblade. SINOSAUROPTERYX The first evidence of dinosaurs with primitive feathers came with this 1996 discovery in China. A fossil found with a kill in its stomach confirms it as a carnivore OTUOJIANGOSAURUS Excavated in China, this stegosaur's bony back plates and shoulder spikes made the plant-eater look bigger than it was, perhaps deterring predators MONONYKUS Scientists speculate that this Mongolian theropod used its single-clawed forelimbs to dig insects out of underground burrows, similar to an anteater's technique. STYRACOSAURUS Found in Alberta, Canada, it probably traveled in herds. The nose horn could have fended off theropods, while its horned frill likely impressed mates EQUATOR South G America 0 Africa NDWANA Laurasia fragmented relatively quickly after its split from Gondwana, which some scientists believe accounts for the broad diversity of dinosaurs in the Northern Hemisphere. Once isolated from each other, dinosaur populations in what would become North America, Europe, and Asia pursued separate evo lutionary paths, a process that occurred much later in Gondwana, which took longer to break up. 166 MILLION MAMENCHISAURUS TUOJIANGOSAURUS 144 SINOSAUROPTERYX ERKETU YEARS AGO JURASSIC CRETACEOUS VELOCIRAPTOR GIGANTORAPTOR America SUPPLEMENT TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 200 North LAU America QUATON Afric South G America O The cluster of future continents within Gondwana started drifting apart 180 million years ago, during the middle of the Jurassic. Forty million years later, a a seam running the length of the landmass began to broaden, giving rise to the South Atlantic (map, right). When the dinosaur era ended (far right), most of the modern pieces of the Southern Hemisphere had not yet reached their current positions, and India was still heading toward its collision with Asia. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PLANET OF THE DINOSAURS When dinosaurs emerged some 230 million years ago, Earth was ripe for a takeover. The massive Permian extinction had wiped out many potential competitors, and continental drift had created a supercontinent, Pangaea, that stretched from Pole to Pole. Over many millions of years dinosaurs proliferated, adapting to every terrestrial environment. Gradually Pangaea separated into the great landmasses of Gondwana in the south and Laurasia in the north, dividing dinosaurs into two main populations that evolved mostly in isolation from each other until they all met their end 65 million years ago. More than 550 species of dinosaurs have been named, and scientists estimate that more than a thousand others are waiting to be found. GONDWANA THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE "Size matters" seems to be the theme of an evolutionary arms race that unfolded in the south. Plant-eating sauro- pods got bigger, leading to behemoths like Paralititan that were less vulnerable to smaller predators. Flesh- eating theropods gained size in turn: The monstrous likes of Carcharodontosaurus tackled the largest sauro- pods. The south is now the Wild West of paleontology, as scientists refine their understanding of its giants and the smaller dinosaurs that lived among them. Compared with the Northern Hemisphere, it's barely been touched. OPARALITITAN One of the largest land animals ever, the 90-foot-long titanosaur, dug up in Egypt, navigated shallow coastal channels, perhaps browsing the tops of mangroves SPINOSAURUS Arguably Earth's largest known land predator, it stalked coastal habitats in North Africa, hunting with croc-like teeth and claws capable of shredding big prey. AFROVENATOR The teeth and claws of the "African hunter" resemble those of theropods in the Northern Hemisphere, offering clues about how early predatory dinosaurs dispersed. ONIGERSAURUS With a vacuum-cleaner-shaped mouth, filled with tiny teeth, it grazed along rivers that laced today's Sahara, perhaps using its long neck to reach water plants. MAJUNGASAURUS Among the last dinosaurs to walk the Earth, this hunter dominated Madagascar. Evidence indicates it probably ate members of its own species. OMASIAKASAURUS Quick and agile, it dodged larger Madagascan carnivores, such as Majungasaurus, while using its own curved, daggerlike teeth to stab smaller creatures. LEAELLYNASAURA Found in Australia, which was then closer to the South Pole and dark much of the year, it had big optic lobes in its brain that hint at good night vision. OCARNOTAURUS Puny arms-tinier than T. rex's forelimbs -contrast with the long legs and formidable jaws of this horned Patagonian carnivore, the "meat-eating bull." O AMARGASAURUS Dwarfed by its multi-ton cousins, this sauropod found in Argentina bore a double row of vertebral spines, which possibly supported sails of ligaments and skin. CARCHARODONTOSAURUS A huge skull, shark-like teeth, and powerful legs made it a fast and deadly killer that possibly fed on large sauropods like Paralititan. LEAELLYNASAURA EXTINCTION 166 MILLION 144 AMARGASAURUS AFROVENATOR TEARS AGO NIGERSAURUS CARCHARODONTOSAURUS TEARS AGO JURASSIC CRETACEOUS PARASAUROLOPHUS TYRANNOSAURUS 65 MILLION STYRACOSAURUS PARALITITAN SPINOSAURUS CARNOTAURUS MADAGARAY MAJUNGASAURUS EXTINCTION 65 MILLION MASIAKASAURUS YEARS AGO](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/332/122.jpeg)
Paleontology
Tyrannosaurus eating
![Tyrannosaurus rex](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/328/55f.jpeg)
![Tyrannosaurus rex](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/328/55f.jpeg)
Paleontology
Tyrannosaurus duel
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/327/a84.jpeg)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/327/a84.jpeg)
Paleontology
Walking with beasts Godinnotia
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/326/5b8.jpeg)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/326/5b8.jpeg)
Paleontology
Chased by sea monsters size chart
![XIPHACTINUS CYMBOSPONDYLUS METRIORHYNCHUS ELASMOSAURUS SEA SCORPION BASILOSAURUS ODOBENOCETOPS HESPERORNIS GIANT ORTHOCONE TANYSTROPHEUS DUNKLEOSTEUS LEEDSICHTHYS STETHACANTHUS HALISAURUS GIANT MOSASAUR NOTHOSAUR MEGALODON ARCHELON](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/325/c4b.jpeg)
![XIPHACTINUS CYMBOSPONDYLUS METRIORHYNCHUS ELASMOSAURUS SEA SCORPION BASILOSAURUS ODOBENOCETOPS HESPERORNIS GIANT ORTHOCONE TANYSTROPHEUS DUNKLEOSTEUS LEEDSICHTHYS STETHACANTHUS HALISAURUS GIANT MOSASAUR NOTHOSAUR MEGALODON ARCHELON](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/325/c4b.jpeg)
Paleontology
Allosaurus and young
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/324/fae.jpeg)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/324/fae.jpeg)
Paleontology
Allosaurus
![113111414)](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/323/556.jpeg)
![113111414)](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/323/556.jpeg)
Paleontology
Allosaurus pair
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/322/4a6.jpeg)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/322/4a6.jpeg)
Paleontology
Nigel Marven and smilodon
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/321/6d8.jpeg)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/321/6d8.jpeg)
Paleontology
Smilodon hunting toxodon
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/320/65e.png)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/320/65e.png)
Paleontology
WWD Allosaurus
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/319/766.jpeg)
![](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/319/766.jpeg)
Paleontology
Walking with dinosaurs returns meme
![ALKINE WITH HIRS THE MOVIE 20 INTERACT VIRTUALLY WITH DONOS IN CINEMAS 19 DECEMBER ALSO IN 3D Oh, I... I thought you were dead. BBC WALKING WITH DINOSAURS COMING 2025 My death was.. greatly exaggerated.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/002/833/318/222.jpeg)
![ALKINE WITH HIRS THE MOVIE 20 INTERACT VIRTUALLY WITH DONOS IN CINEMAS 19 DECEMBER ALSO IN 3D Oh, I... I thought you were dead. BBC WALKING WITH DINOSAURS COMING 2025 My death was.. greatly exaggerated.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/833/318/222.jpeg)
Paleontology