Ancient Oceans Teemed With Whale-Sized Octopuses

Fossils show huge octopus-like creatures, up to 62 feet long, lived 72 million years ago. They were bigger than modern octopuses and hunted large sea animals.

#AncientOctopus, #FossilDiscovery, #CretaceousPeriod, #MarineLife, #PrehistoricAnimals

https://newsletter.tf/giant-62-foot-octopuses-ancient-seas-72-million-years-ago/

Ancient octopuses found were as big as sperm whales, much larger than today's octopuses. This discovery shows how big sea life used to be.

#AncientOctopus, #FossilDiscovery, #CretaceousPeriod, #MarineLife, #PrehistoricAnimals
https://newsletter.tf/giant-62-foot-octopuses-ancient-seas-72-million-years-ago/

Giant 62-Foot Octopuses Swam Seas 72 Million Years Ago

Fossils show huge octopus-like creatures, up to 62 feet long, lived 72 million years ago. They were bigger than modern octopuses and hunted large sea animals.

NewsletterTF

The new CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular Tylosaurus figure has an incredible amount of detail.

Make it yours: https://everythingdinosaur.info/collecta-tylosaurus

✅ ram on the snout
✅ pterygoid teeth
✅ glottis and forked tongue
✅ hypocercal tail

It is a highly accurate representation of Tylosaurus proriger. The model reflects links to the Squamata.

#EverythingDinosaur #Tylosaurus #tylosaurusproriger #PrehistoricAnimals #MarineReptiles #Prehistoricanimalmodels #tylosaurusmodel #marinereptilemodel #Squamata

A scale drawing of the giant prehistoric frog from Madagascar Beelzebufo ampinga. We created the drawing for use on our Beelzebufo fact sheet.

#EverythingDinosaur #PrehistoricAnimals
#illustrations

A CollectA Deluxe Placerias model inspects some of the prehistoric animal model fact sheets that we @EverythingDinosaur research and write. We send out a free fact sheet with sales of models to help educate and inform.

This Placerias model will be despatched with a free Placerias fact sheet.

In addition, we commission artists to produce the illustrations for us. We help to support #palaeoart as well.

#palaeoartists #EverythingDinosaur #Placerias #prehistoricanimals

Giant prehistoric Titanoboa snake 'could return'!

The prehistoric snake Titanoboa certainly lived up to its 'titan' name when it roamed the Earth 58 million years ago.

It was 14 metres long, weighed more than a tonne and could swallow a crocodile in one go!

The discovery of the Titanoboa fossil at a coal mine in Colombia, South America, has helped reveal quite a bit about the past...

Warmer climate

Titanoboa's size is a sign that the Earth was much warmer than it is now - because snakes rely on heat from outside their bodies to survive.

"We think the Titanoboa became this large because it was much warmer on the equator after the dinosaurs died 60 million years ago," said evolution expert Dr Jonathan Bloch.

This evidence is somewhat reassuring given worries over global warming, as it shows animals and plants can cope in high temperatures. But it doesn't account for the rate of climate change.

Bigger reptiles

Experts also think that reptiles were generally much bigger than they are now.

They found turtles the size of a kitchen table and the biggest crocodile fossils ever recorded, in the same place where they discovered the Titanoboa!

"After the extinction of the dinosaurs, this animal, the Titanoboa, was the largest predator on the surface of the planet for at least 10 million years," said Dr Bloch.
A return?

As the Earth's temperatures rise, there's a possibility the Titanoboa - or something like it - could make a comeback.

But scientist Dr Carlos Jaramillo points out that it wouldn't happen quickly: "It takes geological time to develop a new species. It could take a million years - but perhaps they will!"
#infodumping #prehistoricanimals
Giant prehistoric Titanoboa snake 'could return'!

The discovery of the giant prehistoric Titanoboa snake has helped reveal quite a bit about the past...

BBC Newsround
PALEOCENE #5 is now on sale. The post-apocalyptic saga continues — find out what happened to Sister after she was snatched from the nest! https://www.keesey-comics.com/paleocene/issues/05 #comics #comicbooks #paleoart #sciart #paleofiction #paleontology #evolution #comicart #primates #prehistoricanimals #Palaeontology #palaeoart
Paleocene #5

Issue #5 of a comic series about our early primate ancestors.

Keesey Comics
Character designs i worked on for a storyboarding class for a Pleistocene epoch comic, still developing more of it but will post more as I figure more out. #pleistoceneepoch #pleistocene #pleistoceneiceage #iceage #pleistocenemegafauna #prehistoricanimals #prehistoricmammals #sabertoothcat #smilodon #art #artist #conceptart #characterdesign #animation

The Plight of South Africa’s Rhinoceros

https://youtu.be/1SV35QBxeyU

Our guide alerted us to the dire Rhino poaching crisis and emphasized the importance of removing location (latitude and longitude) data before sharing any content on social media.

As the sun dipped towards the horizon, we deliberately paused for a cherished ‘sundowner’—a delightful African bush happy hour. The guides were busy arranging beverages and snacks, and it was at this moment, that we were blessed by the breathtaking sight of a mother Rhinoceros and her calf. These awe-inspiring beings, evoking a sense of prehistoric wonder, play a critical role in preserving the delicate balance of our ecosystem and carry profound cultural importance.

Rhinos are ecological linchpins, fulfilling vital roles in ecosystem balance. As herbivores, they consume copious amounts of vegetation daily, curbing unchecked plant growth and preserving the intricate tapestry of plant communities. Their actions prevent the dominance of certain plant species, fostering equilibrium.

Intriguingly, rhino dung serves as a vessel of renewal, carrying seeds from their consumed plants. As they traverse the landscape, their defecation aids in seed dispersion, nurturing the resurgence of plant species and safeguarding biodiversity.

Additionally, rhinos engineer their surroundings by crafting wallows and pathways, furnishing essential resources like watering holes during arid spells, and carving niches for smaller creatures. Their presence, influencing the behavior and distribution of various species, weaves a complex web of ecological relationships.”

Rhinos have deep-rooted cultural significance in many African societies. They are often revered as symbols of strength, resilience, and power. In some cultures, rhinos symbolize protection and are associated with tribal beliefs and folklore.

The Sacred Bond: A Mother’s Love for Her Calf

Rhinoceros mothers, whether white or black rhinos, display unparalleled dedication and care towards their young. Immediately after birth, the calf is nurtured and protected within the nurturing embrace of its mother. The bond is powerful, with the mother providing guidance, nourishment, and security to her offspring. This maternal dedication is critical for the calf’s growth and survival in the wild, especially during the vulnerable early stages of life. As the calf grows, it learns essential life skills from its mother, preparing it for independence and adulthood. This nurturing relationship is a testament to the profound beauty of the natural world.

The Grim Reality: Rhino Poaching

While the bond between a rhinoceros mother and calf is nothing short of extraordinary, these gentle giants face an existential threat – rhino poaching. The demand for rhino horns, fueled by misconceptions and illegal trade, has escalated over the years, pushing these magnificent creatures to the brink of extinction.

Poaching, driven by criminal networks and black market demands, is decimating rhino populations at an alarming rate. Rhinos are ruthlessly killed for their horns, which are then smuggled and sold illegally for exorbitant prices, particularly in certain parts of Asia. The poaching crisis not only endangers the lives of these animals but also disrupts the fragile balance of the ecosystem they are an integral part of.

The gravity of the situation calls for concerted global efforts to combat poaching through strengthened anti-poaching initiatives, community engagement, and strict law enforcement. Additionally, raising awareness about the consequences of the illegal trade in rhino horns and supporting conservation organizations dedicated to protecting these magnificent creatures is crucial for their survival.

Check out SaveTheRhino.org for more information about conservation efforts.

Highlights from the Logbook

1235 Next Page #Africa #ecotourism #Nature #prehistoricAnimals #rhino #rhinoceros #Safari #saveTheRhino #southAfrica #wildlife

Episode 46: Mark Witton’s Palaeoart

Can they spell it? No, they can’t!

This episode features renowned palaeoartist Mark Witton talking about his new book King Tyrant and other topics in palaeoart. Plus, news on the world’s first sauropod gut contents. Then, Travis and Alyssa challenge each other to a prehistoric spelling bee.

More info:

  • Mark Witton’s website https://www.markwitton.co.uk/
  • Poropat, S. F., Tosolini, A.-M. P., Beeston, S. L., Enchelmaier, M. J., Pentland, A. H., Mannion, P. D., Upchurch, P., Chin, K., Korasidis, V. A., Bell, P. R., Enriquez, N. J., Holman, A. I., Brosnan, L. M., Elson, A. L., Tripp, M., Scarlett, A. G., Godel, B., Madden, R. H. C., Rickard, W. D. A., … Grice, K. (2025). Fossilized gut contents elucidate the feeding habits of sauropod dinosaurs. Current Biology, 35(11), 2597-2613.e7. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982225005500

#AIInArt #MarkWitton #paleoartist #paleontology #prehistoricAnimals #sauropods #ScienceCommunication #TyrannosaurusRex