Extinct species news, features and articles
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![a photo of a dinosaur skeleton displayed at a museum against a lit backdrop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZNwcheLfhUTi9ETYwRNNHk-320-80.jpg)
Heavy rains expose one of the oldest dinosaur skeletons ever discovered, researchers claim
By Patrick Pester published
Researchers say they've recovered one of the world's oldest known dinosaurs after heavy rains exposed a Herrerasaurid skeleton in southern Brazil.
![A T. rex skull with a black background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eZcS6tw5MooaUHPjseaCNW-320-80.jpg)
T. rex could have been 70% bigger than fossils suggest, new study shows
By Jennifer Nalewicki last updated
The largest T. rex to ever live may have weighed up to 33,000 pounds.
![Fossilised snake intertwined together.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9zpLfWUNYChKuFmRQ8UB7e-320-80.jpg)
Spectacularly rare fossils of snakes that died huddled together 38 million years ago unearthed in Wyoming
By Patrick Pester published
Three fossilized snakes that died huddled together 38 million years ago are now called the "winter serpents."
![two small dinosaurs in a cavern walking towards the outside](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BCpTbymgqLRUGiYS7h9Zve-320-80.jpg)
Pair of dog-size dinosaurs likely crushed to death in underground burrow collapse
By Richard Pallardy published
New species of dinosaur discovered in Utah may have lived underground, with near-complete fossils indicating they died in burrows.
![A piece of woolly mammoth skin covered in fur is laid out next to a measuring tape.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DUyVsJvhDsmBKewRPYEqWg-320-80.jpg)
Ancient chromosomes from woolly mammoth discovered in 52,000-year-old freeze-dried skin
By Sascha Pare published
In a breakthrough that could boost de-extinction efforts, scientists have determined the 3D structure of a woolly mammoth's genome from a 52,000-year-old piece of freeze-dried skin.
![newly discovered fossils with flattened, circular head](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/49Ws5CzigGQJUuS6Zmw2K3-320-80.jpg)
280 million-year-old swamp monster with 'big, flat toilet seat-shaped head' discovered in Namibia
By Jacklin Kwan published
Giant salamander-like predator that lived 40 million years before the first dinosaurs had huge fangs and sucked up prey with its weird head.
![Microtomographic reconstruction of the trilobite Gigoutella mauretanica in ventral view.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JVTfbd8kyqbSRKgcnVcgG6-320-80.jpg)
Stunning 3D images show anatomy of 500 million-year-old Cambrian trilobites entombed in volcanic ash
By Elise Poore published
Scientists used 3D imaging to reconstruct the anatomy of Cambrian trilobites discovered buried under layers of volcanic ash.
![An artist's illustration of Wrangel Island's last surviving woolly mammoth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/93PM5cR4AHevy3Jm4jfHJD-320-80.jpg)
Mystery 'random event' killed off Earth's last woolly mammoths in Siberia, study claims
By Ben Turner published
Woolly mammoths survived on Wrangel Island for 6,000 years after their mainland cousins had perished. A new genomic study has revealed that this final population likely died from a sudden, mysterious event.
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