Haltz-kah-rap-tor A swimming raptor Halszkaraptor was a small dromaeosaur roughly two feet (60 centimeters) long, and it was not what you would expect. Why was Halszkaraptor (hal-z-ka-rap-tor, meaning “Halszka’s thief”) so different from other raptors? It was almost certainly semi-aquatic. Halszkaraptor had the famous “killer claw” of most raptors, and probably webbed feet. These certainlyContinue reading “Paleo Profiles: Halszkaraptor”
Monthly Archives: September 2021
Fossils
From fossil hunt updates and information to how they are formed, this branch of the website is all about these organisms turned to stone. It will include suggested books, resources, pictures, information, and much more. Unlike Paleo Profiles, it will not give specific information about a certain genus or species. Instead, Fossils will give youContinue reading “Fossils”
Paleo Profiles: Arthrolycosa
Ancient Spider There are only 24 known Paleozoic spiders. A few of these have been lost; it can be tricky for paleontologists to study these arachnids. It has been disputed what the first spider was for a long time. Arthrolycosa, however, a small arachnid from Russia and North America, is the first confirmed spider. ArthrolycosaContinue reading “Paleo Profiles: Arthrolycosa”
Paleo Profiles: Enchoteuthis
A new look for Enchoteuthis You may have seen pictures of a gigantic squid attacking mosasaurs. That’s what ancient cephalopods like Tusoteuthis and Enchoteuthis were once thought to be. Newer evidence shows, though, that these reconstructions are wrong, and that these animals were really close relatives of octopuses. Let’s explore Enchoteuthis’s taxonomy. Coleoids are theContinue reading “Paleo Profiles: Enchoteuthis”
Paleo Profiles
Paleo Profiles are posts to help you learn about specific prehistoric animals, with pictures, links, and other resources. Paleo Profiles focuses on lesser known ancient animals, and will be a valuable resource for your research. Paleo Profiles: Halszkaraptor This unique dinosaur lived in the oasis of ancient Mongolia. Paleo Profiles: Arthrolycosa The earliest known spiderContinue reading “Paleo Profiles”
Paleo Profiles: Gigatitan
One big, loud carnivore Closely related to grasshoppers and crickets were the Titanoptera. These insects deserved such an aw-inspiring name. They looked similar to preying mantises, but they were huge. One of the biggest was Gigatitan. Imagine you are in the upper Triassic, in what is now Kyrgyzstan. Around you is a wet forest, fullContinue reading “Paleo Profiles: Gigatitan”
Paleo Profiles: Eldredgeops
Predatory Trilobite Eldredgeops was a very common trilobite in Devonian North America. It has been found in at least nine states, on top of having a range of 47 million years. What made it so successful? Acute eyesight, large size, and some good timing. Eldredgeops was a large Phacopid trilobite, growing up to 4 inchesContinue reading “Paleo Profiles: Eldredgeops”
Paleo profiles: Naja romani
Welcome to the first Paleo Profile! These posts will give you information about a particular kind of prehistoric animal, along with pictures, links, and other resources. Sometimes the post will focus on a specific species, like this one, and other times they will be about a whole genus. The Earliest Known Cobra Naja romani, previouslyContinue reading “Paleo profiles: Naja romani”