National Geographic News - Paleontology

Turtles Have Shells Due to Embryo "Origami"

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Although they start out looking like chickens and mice, baby turtles go through a unique folding process inside their eggs that forms their upper shells, a new study shows.

Armadillo-like Crocodile Fossil Found in Brazil

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

In addition to body armor never before found on a crocodile species, the ancient reptile had jaws that allowed it to chew like a mammal, paleontologists say.

Killer Dino Stalked Outback

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A "terrifying" raptor-like dinosaur roamed what is now Australia's outback about 98 million years ago, newfound fossils show.Video.

"Dinosaur Mummy" Has Skin Like Birds' and Crocodiles'

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A stunningly preserved dinosaur has skin like that of modern birds and crocodiles, a paleontologist says. "This is the closest you're going to get to patting the animal."

Rabbit-Size Elephant Ancestor Found -- Oldest Known

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It may not have had a trunk or Dumbo ears, but the 60-million-year-old elephant ancestor with proto-tusks looms large in mammalian history, a new study says.

Giant Prehistoric Elephant Discovered

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Scientists in Indonesia claim they have unearthed the 200,000-year-old skeleton of a giant elephant that stood more than 13 feet (4 meters) tall. Video.

Giant Sperm Is Ancient Evolutionary Tool, Study Finds

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

With giant sperm up to ten times its body length, the male seed shrimp is the beneficiary of an evolutionary adaptation tens of millions of years in the making, a new study says.

Early "Human" Is Ape After All, Discoverer Decides

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Russell Ciochon shook our family tree 15 years ago when he announced a new form of early human ancestor found in China. Now the anthropologist says the fossil is a "mystery ape."

NEW DINOSAUR: Fossil Fingers Solve Bird Wing Mystery?

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A small, ostrich-like dinosaur found in China may shed light on how bird wings evolved from dinosaur limbs, a new study suggests.

New Dinosaur Was Nut-Cracking "Parrot"

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Found with a powerful skull and 50 stomach stones, the 110-million-year-old "parrot dinosaur of the Gobi" gives scientists a rare glimpse into dinosaur diet.