Extinct species news, features and articles
Most species that ever lived on Earth are now extinct, with the planet having experienced at least five mass extinction events. Live Science brings you expert coverage of extinction as researchers uncover fossils and gain new insights into ancient animals — and track the sixth mass extinction event that appears to have begun.
So whether you're after facts about dodos and dinosaurs, curious about extinct animals that could be brought back to life, or want to know what living animals could be gone by 2050, our writers and editors have you covered with the news, features and articles about extinct species.
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Latest about Extinct Species
Mammoth quiz: Test your knowledge of the ice age beasts
By Sascha Pare published
Most of us are familiar with the mammoths in "Ice Age," but how much do you really know about these creatures? Find out by taking our quiz.
Cretaceous 'Pompeii' of China isn't what we thought
By Jacklin Kwan published
Incredibly well preserved dinosaurs at China fossil site were thought to have been buried in huge volcanic eruptions, similar to the Mount Vesuvius that covered the city of Pompeii 2,000 years ago. But new research says this isn't how things happened.
Armored dinosaur could withstand the impact of a high-speed car crash, thanks to the 'bulletproof vest' over its plate armor
By Sierra Bouchér published
The new research suggests that this dinosaur's armor was adapted for fighting between members of Borealopelta markmitchelli.
A giant crocodilian killed the largest 'terror bird' ever found, 12 million years ago
By Sierra Bouchér published
The fossilized leg bone of the terror bird went unidentified for almost 20 years.
Oldest tadpole on record was a Jurassic giant
By Sierra Bouchér published
The fossilization of the tadpole's "delicate structures," like its eyes and gills, allowed for a detailed analysis of the rare find.
Predatory birds from the Jurassic may have driven cicada evolution for millions of years
By Sierra Bouchér published
Researchers calculated the flight ability of more than 80 ancient cicada species to analyze their evolution over time.
'It was clearly a human assault on the species': The fate of the great auk
By Alexander McNamara published
Two preserved great auk specimens displayed at a museum in 1971. The last pair of great auks were killed in 1844.
80 million-year-old dinosaur 'mini eggs' unearthed at Chinese construction site are the smallest ever found — and belong to a never-before-seen T. rex relative
By Harry Baker published
Half a dozen dinosaur eggs, each around the size of a grape, were recently saved from a construction site in China. Researchers say the tiny fossilized shells are exceptionally well preserved.
Half-a-billion-year-old 'marine Roomba' is earliest known asymmetrical animal
By Sierra Bouchér published
A backward question mark shape on the creature's back reveals early animal evolutionary history.
Most complete Tasmanian tiger genome yet pieced together from 110-year-old pickled head
By Sascha Pare published
Researchers working with Colossal Biosciences have assembled a near-complete Tasmanian tiger genome and developed artificial reproductive technologies that could help de-extinct the species.
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