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Paleontology

A Visit to the Natural Science Center of Greensboro
The Natural Science Center of Greensboro in Greensboro, North Carolina is a medium-sized museum that has plenty of displays and live animals to keep both children and adults entertained.
A Visit to Salz Welten
Salz Welten in Bad Durnberg, Austria is not a traditional science and natural history museum, but it is very educational and entertaining.
A Visit to the Urwelt-Museum Oberfranken
The Urwelt-Museum Oberfranken in Bayreuth, Germany is a small museum that is worth a visit.
A Visit to the Aurora Fossil Museum
The Aurora Fossil Museum in Aurora, North Carolina is a small museum, but it is a great place to do some amateur fossil collecting.
Book Review: Krakatoa
Simon Winchester is one of my favorite authors, so I was very excited to read his book about the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa.
A Visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is one of my favorite larger museums.
Whale Watching with the Virginia Marine Science Museum
When you think about whale-watching trips, you probably think about traveling to such locations as Alaska, the Caribbean, or even Hawaii. Virginia Beach, Virginia probably does not come to mind as one of the great whale-watching destinations.
Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2004
Over 1,100 paleontologists converged on Denver, Colorado and the Denver Museum of Natural History November 3rd through 6th for the 65th annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Recommended Paleontology Books 2004
With the holidays approaching, here are some recommended books about paleontology that will be great for all ages.
Book Review: Evidence from the Earth
Evidence from the Earth is an interesting book about the development of forensic criminal investigation, and how geology can be used to solve crimes.
Paleopathology: Ancient CSI
Crime Scene Investigators aren't the only people who can learn things from the dead. Instead of learning about the cause of death, paleontologists can learn about diseases and injuries that an animal suffered from while it was alive.
Book Review: The Seashell on the Mountaintop
The Seashell on the Mountaintop by Alan Cutler is a fascinating look at the life of Nicholaus Steno.
A Visit to the Museum of Life and Science
The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina is a lesser-known museum that offers a great way to keep adults and children entertained.
Book Reviews: Raptor Pack and T. rex: Hunter or Scavenger?
Random House recently published two new books about dinosaurs in its Step Into Reading Books series.
Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2003
Paleontologists met in St. Paul, Minnesota in October 2003 for the 63th annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.
A Visit to the Science Museum of Minnesota
The Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota is a lesser-known museum, but it is worth a visit.
A Visit to the University of Kansas Natural History Museum
The University of Kansas Natural History Museum in Lawrence, Kansas is a lesser-known, small museum that is worth a visit.
Recommended Paleontology Books 2003
Here are some books that will make great gifts for the budding young paleontologist in your life.
Book Review: Megalodon
Megalodon: Hunting the Hunter contains beautiful photographs of Megalodon teeth, and some good information on where to find shark teeth.
Book Review: The Sternberg Fossil Hunters
The Sternberg Fossil Hunters: A Dinosaur Dynasty is a great book for young students interested in paleontology.
Book Review: King of the Crocodylians
Paleontologist Dr. David R. Schwimmer gives a very thorough review of what is known about Deinosuchus and its paleoecology.
Cave Bears and the Devil's Cave
Germany has played a great role in the history of paleontological study, many famous fossils have been found there. On a recent visit to Germany, my husband and I visited a site known as the Teufelshohle or "Devil's Cave."
Book Review: Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads
Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads: The Culture and Evolution of Natural History Museums by Stephen T. Asma will intrigue anyone interested in how the modern natural history museum came to be. I hope that this book will also encourage its readers to visit a natural history museum.
Review: Chased by Dinosaurs
Nigel Marven's most recent nature documentary is a computer-generated journey to the past as he is "Chased by Dinosaurs" on the Discovery Chanel.
The Armoured Dinosaurs--The Ankylosaurs
The Ankylosaurs were another group of armoured dinosaurs.
The Armoured Dinosaurs--The Nodosaurs
Ankylosaurs may be one of the most easily recongnizable groups of dinosaurs.
Book Review: Starring T. Rex!
Starring T. Rex: Dinosaur Mythology and Popular Culture is a good introduction to movies and novels about dinosaurs and other extinct animals.
A Visit to the Texas Memorial Museum of Science and History
After visiting Texas Memorial Museum of Science and History as a child, this small, little-known museum will always have a special place in my heart.
Book Review: Ice Age Mammals of North America
Ice Age Mammals of North America: A Guide to the Big, the Hairy, and the Bizarre is a useful introduction to the Pleistocene Epoch and its animals for budding young paleontologists.
Book Review: Pictures from an Expedition
Pictures from an Expedition by Diane Smith is the story of a spinster who joins a paleontological expedition in Montana in 1876.
A Visit to the Natural History Museum in London
Some tourists may travel to London to look for the Royal Family, but my husband and I go to visit the Natural History Museum!
Book Review: The Fate of the Mammoth
“This is not a book about mammoths,” begins Claudine Cohen intriguingly in The Fate of the Mammoth: Fossils, Myth, and History. Instead, this is a book about the history of paleontology and the role the mammoth has played in developing it as a science.
Book Review: Fossils: The Key to the Past
The second edition of Richard Fortey's Fossils: The Key to the Past is still a handy tool to amateur and experienced paleontologists.
A Visit to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma is a small museum, but well worth a visit.
Recommended Paleontology Books 2002
Here are some books that will make great gifts for the budding young paleontologist in your life.
Book Review: The Dinosaur Hunters
Deborah Cadbury presents an intriguing look into the early history of the science of paleontology. She examines the friendships and rivalries among paleontologists during the Victorian Era of England, and how they influenced our modern knowledge of dinosaurs.
Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology had its 63rd annual meeting in Norman, Oklahoma.
A Visit to Science City in Kansas City
Science City is a hands-on science museum in Kansas City, Missouri with plenty of activities.
Fossil Thefts
Stolen fossils are in the news again. What effect does this have on science, and what can you do to prevent it?
Review: 'Back to the Cretaceous' at the Smithsonian
If you a visiting the Smithsonian Insitution National Museum of Natural History, you might consider watching the 3D IMAX film "Back to the Cretaceous."
Book Review: Ghosts of Tsavo
tsavo, africa, man-eater, man-eaters, lion, lions, tiger, tigers, patterson, caputo
Book Review: The Future of Life
Edward O. Wilson's new book The Future of Life will be of interest to anyone who is concerned about the envrionment and the future of the Earth.
Book Review: The Dragon Seekers
Dr. Christopher McGowan's new book The Dragon Seekers is a combined biography of several of the early paleontologists.
Book Review: Dinosaurs Alive! The Dinosaur-Bird Connection
Dinosaurs Alive! The Dinosaur-Bird Connection is the latest collaboration between the Jurassic Park Institute and Random House.
Book Review: Mammoth: The Resurrection of an Ice Age Giant
If you liked the Discovery Channel documentary about the recovery of a frozen mammoth carcass, you will love Richard Stone's Mammoth, about the history of mammoth hunting for science, and the quest to clone a mammoth.
Book Review: Dinosaurs Under the Big Sky
Paleontologist Dr. Jack Horner is probably best known as the paleontological consultant for the JURASSIC PARK movies, but he is also the author of several books about paleontology.
A Visit to the American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of my favorite museums to visit.
Book Review: Time Traveler
Dr. Michael Novacek, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History, has published a new book.
Book Review: The Map That Changed the World
William Smith is widely recognized as the father of modern geology, but he languished in obscurity for much of his lifetime. Simon Winchester's new book "The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology" is a fascinating read about Smith's troubled life.
Woolly Rhinoceros
The woolly rhinoceros was another large mammal that lived during the Pleistocene Ice Ages.
Compsognathus
Compsognathus has become famous after appearing in the "Jurassic Park" movies.
Ceratosaurus
Ceratosaurus is one of the less well-known "carnosaurs."
Book Review: SuperCroc and the Origin of Crocodiles
A review of the new youth book "SuperCroc and the Origin of Crocodiles" by Christopher Sloan.
An Interview with Author and Artist Michael Carroll
In my last article I reviewed some of the books by author and paleoartist Michael Carroll, in this article we chat about science, paleontology, art and religion.
Book Review of Michael Carroll's Science Books
Author and artist Michael Carroll has written and illustrated science books and articles for adults and children.
Sarcosuchus: The Supercroc
Sarcosuchus, also known as the SuperCroc, was a crocodile that might have eaten dinosaurs!
The Brontotheres/Titanotheres
The brontotheres were some of the largest mammals to ever walk the earth.
The Entelodonts
The entelodonts were a very unusual group of mammals.
Review, Walking with Prehistoric Beasts
As much as I enjoyed "Walking with Dinosaurs" this new television programme and companion book are even better.
Stegosaurs: The "Roofed Lizards"
The Stegosauria were a very distinctive group of dinosaurs!
Trace Fossils
Trace fossils can give paleontologists plenty of information about how extinct animals lived.
Diatryma
Diatryma was a large, flightless bird which may have been the top predator during the Early Cenozoic Era.
Giant Sloths
The ground sloths are large relatives of our modern tree sloths.
Book Review: JPI Dinosaur Field Guide
The Jurassic Park Institute Dinosaur Field Guide is a new book by paleontologists Thomas R. Holtz, Jr., and Michael Brett-Surman.
Recommended Paleontology Books
As the holiday season approaches, here are some books about paleontology that will make great gifts for the paleontologist in your life!
Pachycephalosaurs: The "Bone Heads"
The mountain tops echo with the sound of rival Pachycephalosaur males crashing heads together.
Paleontology in Yellowstone National Park
Although Yellowstone National Park is better known for its geothermal features, our oldest national park also provides a lot of paleontological information
A Visit to the Museum of the Rockies
The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, is one of my favorite small museums to visit.
Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology meets annually to allow professional and amateur paleontologists to discuss paleontology.
Sea Scorpions (The Eurypterids)
These "sea scorpions" are not really scorpions, but are closely related to them.
Pteranodon, the Toothless Wing
What's that soaring above us? It's Pteranodon!
Albertosaurs, "Lizard from Alberta"
Albertosaurus is sometimes overlooked because of its more famous cousin, Tyrannosaurus rex.
Camels
Camels are well-adapted to living in the desert.
Charles Darwin (1809 to 1882)
Naturalist Charles Darwin is an important figure in the history of paleontology.
Dinosaur Mating
How did the dinosaurs mate?
The Glyptodonts
Look out for those "giant armadillos!"
Gallimimus, a New Look
Dinosaurs are in the News! Gallimimus gets a facelift!
"Jurassic Park III": A Review
"Jurassic Park III" is a great action/adventure film for dinosaur fans.
"When Dinosaurs Roamed America": A Review
A review of the recent Discovery Channel programme "When Dinosaurs Roamed America."
Index Fossils
The use of index fossils in an important technique in determining the age of fossils.
Velociraptor, "The Speedy Thief"
This dinosaur became famous in the movie "Jurassic Park."
Extinction V: Modern Extinctions
Extinction is not just something that happened in the distant past. Are we currently experiencing the beginnings of another mass extinction?
Extinction IV: The Pleistocene Ice Age
Many large mammals went extinct during the last Ice Age.
Extinction III: Dinosaur Extinction Theories
Why DID the dinosaurs go extinct?
Extinction II: The Cretaceous Extinction
Although most people associate the Cretaceous Extinction Event with the dinosaurs, many other species went extinct at this time.
Extinction I: The Permian Extinction Event
The extinction of the dinosaurs is not the only mass extinction event to strike the Earth.
Deinonychus: The Terrible Claw
Rip, tear, slash! Watch out for Deinonychus, the "terrible claw."
Cloning Dinosaurs: The Difficulties of Finding Complete DNA and a Surrogate Species
What are the special difficulties associated with trying to clone dinosaurs?
Cloning Extinct Animals I
Is it possible to clone dinosaurs and other extinct animals?
Hadrosaurs
Hadrosaurs were one of the most successful groups of herbivorous dinosaurs.
Georges Cuvier
Baron Georges Cuvier was a French vertebrate zoologist who did a lot of the early work in paleontology.
Dinosaur Tracksites II
Here are some more great sites to visit to see dinosaur tracks!
Dinosaur Tracksites I
Here are some great tracksites to visit if you want to see dinosaur footprints.
Fossil Collecting on Public Lands
To avoid legal problems, acquaint yourself with the laws of fossil collection before you go fossil collecting.
Fossil Fuel Woes
Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy resources; what can be done about this?
How Big Were the Dinosaurs?
Were the dinosaurs all gigantic creatures? No!!
Allosaurus: The Different Lizard
This "different lizard" has always been one of my favorite dinosaurs.
Herrerasaurus: Dinosaur or Archosaur?
Herrerassaurus was believed to be one of the earliest dinosaurs.
Coelophysis
Coelophysis was a lightly-built early dinosaur.
Where Does Petroleum Come From?
You might think that gasoline and other petroleum products come from the remains of dinosaurs, but they were actually produced by plants and micro-organisms.
Triceratops: Three Horned Face
Triceratops is one of the most famous dinosaurs.
Petrified Wood
Wood turned to stone? How did it happen?
Baron Franz Nopcsa (1877-1933)
Baron Nopcsa was a very colourful figure in the field of paleontology.
Amber
Why is fossilized tree sap important to paleontologists?
Sauropod Myths
The sauropod dinosaurs were the largest animals ever to walk the earth. During the earliest studies of paleontology, many scientists believed that they would have been too heavy to walk on land.
Sauropod Dinosaurs
The sauropod dinosaurs were the largest animals ever to walk the earth.
Crocodile Hunting
You don't have to be Steve Irwin to appreciate these scaly beasts!
Snakes
These much-maligned creatures have an interesting history.
My Favorite Museums III
Read about some of my favorite museums in Canada.
My Favorite Museums II
Some more of my favorite Natural History Museums, some famous, and some little-known.
My Favorite Museums I
Some of my favourite Natural History Museums
Photographing Extinct Animals
Tips on photographing your favourite extinct animals during your next trip to a Natural History Museum.
Dinosaurs: Cold-blooded vs. Warm-bloded?
Were dinosaurs warm-blooded or cold-blooded? How can we know anything about these long-extinct animals?
Recommended Paleontology Books
Looking for the right present for that budding young paleontologist? *Dig* into some of these books for a fun and informative gift.
Kangaroos
These unique animals have always fascinated me.
Marsupials
The recent Olympics in Sydney, Australia have piqued my interest in marsupials.
The Dinosaurs of "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World"
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh has a new travelling exhibit about the Dinosaurs of "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World".
Thescelosaurus: The Dinosaur with a Heart?
Paleontologists made the news earlier this year with reports of a possible fossilized heart in a Thescelosaurus.
Turtles
Turtles are the only surviving members of a group of animals called the anapsids.
Micropaleontology
Micropaleontology is an often forgotten field of paleontology.
Fossil Preparation IV: Making Molds and Casts
How are the "bones" we see on display in museums made?
Fossil Preparation III: Molding and Casting
Are those real dinosaur bones that you see in that T. rex skeleton?
Fossil Preparation II: In the Museum
Now that the fossils are in the museum, how are they prepared for study and display?
Fossil Preparation I: In the Field
How do fossils go from the ground to the display case of a museum? Learn how in this series of articles.
Tyrannosaurus rex, the "Tyrant Lizard King"
T. rex is probably the most famous dinosaur ever, and is certainly a favorite of children and adults everywhere.
Dire Wolf
The dire wolf is one of the more famous Ice Age mammals.
Horses
Horses are fascinating animals, and their development is a fascinating topic of paleontology.
Barnum Brown (1873 to 1963)
Barnum Brown is one of the best known of the early paleontologists.
Grasses and Grazers
How did the development of grasses lead to the rise of large herbivorous mammals, and vice versa?
Teeth II: Herbivores
Herbivorous animals have interesting teeth as well.
Teeth I: The Carnivores
Looking at an animal's teeth can tell us a lot about it.
A Visit to the Smithsonian
The National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution is one of the largest natural history museums in the United States. Join me as I tour its fascinating exhibits!
What Should I Study?
I'm interested in paleontology, what should I study for a career in this science? Or if I want to be an educated amateur fossilist?
Iguanodon
Iguanodon was the second dinosaur to be described, although Gideon Mantell mistook its thumb for a horn!
Disney's "Dinosaur", A Review
Disney's multi-million dollar film "Dinosaur" opened last week, this lush piece of computer animation is worth seeing for all dinosaur fans.
Marine Mammals II: The Pinnipeds
Another group of mammals that has adapted well to ocean life are the pinnipeds, the seals.
Marine Mammals I: The Cetaceans
Whales and porpoises have always fascinated me.
Dating Fossils II: Radiometric Dating
Radiometric dating is a more precise type of dating used on fossils.
Dating Fossils I: Relative Dating
How do paleontologists date fossils?
"Walking with Dinosaurs", A Review
The much-hyped British program "Walking with Dinosaurs" is now available in the U.S., with a beautifully illustrated companion book.
A Visit to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh has finally opened the doors to its new building. Join me as I tour the museum!
Acrocanthosaurus: Terror of the South
The new North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences opens today. Its featured exhibit is Terror of the South, an Acrocanthosaurus skeleton.
Confuciusornis: Earliest Known Beaked Bird
Confuciusornis is the earliest known bird to have a modern, toothless beak.
Fossil Collecting Ethics I
Fossils are being sold, but they don't end up in museums where they can be enjoyed by everyone.
Internet Paleontology Journals
On-line paleontology journal references.
An Interview with Karen Chin
Paleontologist Karen Chin gets a lot of strange looks when people learn about her interest in fossilized dung!
Coprolites
Fossilized dung, a type of trace fossil, can tell us a lot about extinct animals.
William Buckland
William Buckland is best known for naming Megalosaurus, but he was also the first person to recognize fossilized dung.
Amphibians II
Some of the amphibian groups have become completely extinct.
Amphibians I
The amphibians are an interesting group of animals that often get overlooked.
Sabre-toothed Cats
This group of extinct cats were very common until the end of the last Ice Age.
Mononykus
Another missing link between dinosaurs and birds?
Champsosaurs
It's a crocodile? It's an alligator? No! It's a champsosaur!
Roy Chapman Andrews
Roy Chapman Andrews is often called "the real life Indiana Jones," find out more about this adventurous paleontologist.
Marine Reptiles III: Mosasaurs
Mosasaurs are related to our modern monitor lizards and Gila monsters.
Marine Reptiles II: Plesiosaurs
The Plesiosaurs were a very successful group of marine reptiles (not dinosaurs!) that lived during the Mesozoic Era.
Marine Reptiles I: Ichthyosaurs
Marine reptiles of the Mesozoic are often mistaken for dinosaurs, learn more about these fascinating animals!
Recommended Paleontology Books
Need some help finding the right gift for that paleontology enthusiast? Here are some of my favorite books about dinosaurs and paleontology.
Biological Nomenclature
How do scientists arrange animals into groups? What do we mean when we talk about a Kingdom or Phylum?
Carolus Linnaeus
Carolus Linnaeus is called the father of taxonomy for his work developing our modern system of giving organisms scientific names.
Dimetrodon
Dimetrodon is often mistaken for a dinosaur. Find out more about this mammal-like reptile and why it is not a dinosaur.
Reptile Skulls
Reptile families are grouped by the shape of their skulls. How are turtles different from mammals?
Ammonites
You may have found these fossils before, what kind of animals were the ammonites?
Mastodons, Ancestors of Elephants
Mastodons, relatives of mammoths, are the ancestors of our modern elephants
Mammoths, Mastodons, and Elephants
What's the difference between mammoths, mastodons, and elephants?
Trilobites
Have you been lucky enough to find one of these fossils? Learn why the Cambrian Period is sometimes called "The Age of Trilobites."
The Insects
That mosquito buzzing around your ear is annoying, and millions of years ago these same insects flew around the dinosaurs and other now extinct animals.
Othniel Marsh
Othniel Marsh was E. D. Cope's friend, and then became his rival. Learn more about the other figure in the Bone Wars.
Edward Drinker Cope
Edward Drinker Cope is most famous for his feud with Othniel Marsh, but his fossil discoveries are invaluable to paleontology.
Brontosaurus versus Apatosaurus
Why did Brontosaurus change its name to Apatosaurus? Find out more about scientific naming of animals.
Hoseshoe Crabs
Horseshoe crabs look like ancient creatures, and they are!
Sir Richard Owen, 1804-1892
Richard Owen gave the dinosaurs their name back in 1842. Learn more about one of the early paleontologists.
The Fish, Part IV
The ray-finned fish are the dominant group of fish in both freshwater and marine environments.
The Fish, Part III: The Osteichthyans
The bony fish far out number the cartilaginous fish, learn more about this varied group of fish.
The Fish, Part II: The Chondrichthyans
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water...let's look at the Chondrichthyans!
The Fish, Part I
The fish are our earliest vertebrate animals. Learn more about the many different types of fish.
Spiders: Our Eight Legged Friends
No home is complete without a few of these hanging around. Learn how spiders got their scientific name, and why they are not really insects.
Paleobotany II
Okay, fossil plants are pretty neat, but what else can they tell us about the ancient world?
Paleobotany I
There is more to the study of paleontology than extinct animals, what about the plant life?
Coelacanth: The Living Fossil
For years scientists believed that the coelacanths had become extinct at the end of the Cretaceous. This "living fossil" caused quite a stir.
Dinosaur Tracking
Have you ever tracked a dinosaur? You don't need a blood hound, just visit a fossil trackway site.
Mary Anning
Mary Anning is widely considered to have been the first female paleontologist, but why have her contributions been mostly forgotten?
The Development of Flight
Humans have dreamed about flight for centuries, but only acheived it recently. Four other groups of animals have been flying for millions of years.
Pterosaurs: The First Flyers
The pterosaurs conquered the air long before birds, learn more about them.
Archaeopteryx: The Ancient Wing
Archaeopteryx, an early bird, is one of our "missing links" in the story of the evolution of birds.
Dinosaur Primer
How do paleontologists determine how dinosaurs are related? It's all in their hips!
What Do You Mean It's Not a Dinosaur?
Many extinct animals that are not dinosaurs are commonly confused with the dinosaurs, learn more about why these animals are not really dinosaurs.
What is Paleontology?
What is paleontology? What do different types of paleontologists study? What is the difference between paleontology and archaeology?