The asteroid that hit Earth 66 million years ago caused most of the world’s living things, including dinosaurs, to go extinct. Not every species died out, however, and scientists are trying to figure out why certain animals survived while others perished. Researchers looking at the fossil record are starting to uncover clues. Listen to learn what happened on Earth when the massive asteroid hit and which clues are helping researchers solve the scientific mystery.
Story Length: 3:04
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October 27, 2021
2:30
A recent study suggests that after dinosaurs disappeared, snakes, their slithering reptile cousins, exploded in ecological diversity. Scientists believe they have found a clue about why snakes may have evolved into the nearly 4,000 species alive today. Unlike other reptiles, snakes eat many kinds of prey, including other snakes. Listen to hear more about what snakes eat and learn why some scientists say the current geological era could be called the Age of Snakes.
Read MoreOctober 6, 2021
1:09
Scientists have found a trove of dinosaur fossils in an enormous rock in Utah. The fossils found belong to the Utahraptors, which were even bigger than the raptors featured in the movie Jurassic Park. Listen to hear how many Utahraptors were found and to learn how scientists believe they died.
Read MoreJune 5, 2018
4:35
A teenager recently discovered what turned out to be the fossil of a large, dinosaur-eating crocodile in northern Texas. Many amateur fossil hunters enjoy looking for ancient animals’ bones in this rocky area. At the site, for example, a combination of harsh living conditions exposed dirt makes it easier to uncover all sorts of fossils. An expert explains how fossil hunters help him discover ancient species. He also describes why dinosaurs fascinate us and how they can help us learn more about science. Listen to learn more about this dinosaur-eating crocodile.
Read MoreJanuary 5, 2016
2:23
On the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland, dinosaur footprints were recently found. They look like potholes the size of trash can lids and were made by dinosaurs about 170 million years ago. The site is along the northern coast, near what used to be a lagoon. Dinosaurs are normally found on land and not so near the water. Listen to this story to learn more about this discovery and how it changes our understanding of dinosaurs.
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