Articles for author: Saman Zehra

Why So Many Dinosaurs Are Misrepresented in Children’s Books

Dinosaurs captivate children’s imaginations like few other subjects, appearing in countless picture books, educational materials, and stories aimed at young readers. Yet despite their popularity, these prehistoric creatures are frequently misrepresented in children’s literature, often appearing quite different from what scientific evidence suggests they actually looked like. From outdated anatomy to completely fictional behaviors, these ...

What If Feathers Evolved for Flight Sooner?

The evolution of flight represents one of nature’s most remarkable innovations, fundamentally reshaping Earth’s ecosystems and the course of vertebrate evolution. Feathers, the key adaptation that enabled birds to conquer the skies, first appeared in theropod dinosaurs during the Middle-Late Jurassic period, approximately 165-150 million years ago. However, the development of true powered flight came ...

Could Some Dinosaurs Swim? A Canadian Claw Discovery Reignites the Debate

The prehistoric world continues to reveal its secrets through fossil discoveries that challenge our understanding of dinosaur behavior and capabilities. One of the most intriguing questions paleontologists have debated for decades is whether dinosaurs—traditionally viewed as terrestrial creatures—had the ability to swim. Recently, a remarkable claw fossil discovered in Canada has reignited this discussion, providing ...

Have We Found Fossils of Fish Living Inside Other Fossils?

The world of paleontology is filled with extraordinary discoveries that continue to reshape our understanding of ancient life. Among these findings, perhaps none are more fascinating than fossils preserved within other fossils – a phenomenon that creates a remarkable snapshot of prehistoric predator-prey relationships. These rare “fossils within fossils” offer unprecedented insights into ancient food ...

A fossilized skull is on display.

Dakota, the Mummified Dinosaur: How a North Dakota Find Changed Paleontology

In the summer of 1999, a remarkable discovery was made near Marmarth, North Dakota, that would forever change our understanding of dinosaurs. A teenage fossil hunter named Tyler Lyson stumbled upon what appeared to be an ordinary dinosaur skeleton on his family’s property. What he couldn’t have known then was that he had discovered one ...

close-up photo of Dinosaur figurine

What If Dinosaurs Played Sports? Which Ones Would Win at What?

The prehistoric world of dinosaurs continues to captivate our imagination, from their massive sizes to their unique physical adaptations. But what if these magnificent creatures had participated in modern-day sports? Based on their physical characteristics, hunting styles, and evolutionary adaptations, we can make educated guesses about which dinosaur species might excel at different athletic competitions. ...

A close up of a dinosaur with its mouth open

Did Primeval Get Paleontology Right? Let’s Break It Down

Primeval, the British science fiction television series that aired from 2007 to 2011, captivated audiences with its thrilling premise of prehistoric creatures entering the modern world through temporal anomalies. While the show delivered entertainment in spades, many viewers with an interest in paleontology found themselves questioning the scientific accuracy of the depicted creatures and concepts. ...

Montana’s Prehistoric Past Uncovered at the Museum of the Rockies

The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana stands as a gateway to a world long vanished, where colossal dinosaurs roamed across landscapes that would eventually become the mountainous terrain we know today. This world-renowned institution offers visitors an extraordinary journey through billions of years of Earth’s history, with a particular focus on Montana’s rich ...

Shuvuuia: The Nocturnal Dino With Eagle Eyes and Mole Claws (Mongolia)

In the late Cretaceous period, approximately 75-81 million years ago, a small, peculiar dinosaur scurried through the arid landscapes of what is now Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. This remarkable creature, named Shuvuuia (meaning “bird” in Mongolian), represents one of paleontology’s most fascinating discoveries. Combining seemingly contradictory features—extraordinarily keen night vision like modern owls, paired with digging ...