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Scientists Reveal the Shocking Body Temperature That Kept T. rex Alive - Futura-Sciences
Breaking Free from the Cold-Blooded Stereotype For decades, dinosaurs have been compared to the reptiles and lizards we know today. People saw them as typical “cold-blooded” creatures—scientifically called ectotherms—whose body temperature depended almost entirely on the environment. That’s why you see lizards basking in the sun or hiding in the...
Ancient oceans were ruled by super predators unlike anything today
Long before whales and sharks, enormous marine reptiles dominated the oceans with unmatched power. Scientists have reconstructed a 130-million-year-old marine ecosystem from Colombia and found predators operating at a food-chain level higher than any seen today. The ancient seas were bursting with life, from giant reptiles to rich invertebrate communities. This extreme complexity reveals how intense competition helped drive the evolution of modern marine ecosystems.
Scientists discover giant sea predator Tylosaurus rex that terrorized ancient oceans
A colossal new sea predator named Tylosaurus rex has been identified from fossils found in Texas, revealing a brutal 43-foot-long hunter that ruled ancient oceans 80 million years ago. The discovery not only introduces one of the biggest mosasaurs ever known, but also shakes up long-standing ideas about how these marine reptiles evolved.
Earth’s worst extinction was followed by a shockingly fast ocean comeback
A spectacular fossil trove on the Arctic island of Spitsbergen shows that marine life made a stunning comeback after Earth’s greatest extinction. Tens of thousands of fossils reveal fully aquatic reptiles and complex food chains thriving just three million years later. Some predators grew over five meters long, challenging the idea of a slow, step-by-step recovery. The find rewrites the early history of ocean ecosystems.
Ten bucks says you’ll love this community science project
Today marks the first day of Rut Watch 2026 With another season of Deer Spy in the books thanks to community scientists like you, biologists are now on a mission to pinpoint the peak of the white-tailed deer breeding season in Maine. Every observation of deer breeding behavior and sign helps define the timing of the rut, and this project uses the power of community science to collect deer data all fall long. Hunters, hikers, and wildlife watchers - Rut Watch pairs well with any outdoor adventure you have planned this season. It’s a perfect excuse to slow down and connect with nature as you look for clues. So get outside, rack up that deer data and submit rut reports from now through December 1. The online form is science made simple: Location Date and time Breeding behavior observed Submit a Rut Report What to watch for Active Breeding The most obvious breeding behavior to observe is a buck mounting a doe, but that is a rare sight as it only lasts a moment. You are more likely to witness a buck “tending” a doe, following closely, chasing, nuzzling, or pawing at her rump until she is receptive. Sparring After bucks shed their velvet, sparring helps sort out who is who in the dominance hierarchy. Early season matches are often less intense than later season matches between similar sized bucks. Most sparring is complete by the time breeding begins. Rubs Don’t just look for deer, pay attention to the trees. Rubs are marks made by bucks when they rub their antlers on trees, removing bark and leaving their scent calling card in the process. Scrapes Look to the forest floor for this sign of breeding season behavior. Scrapes consist of two parts - a licking branch, and a patch of cleared earth. Bucks break a low branch around head height, then paw at the leaves below to expose the dirt. Covered in scent, a scrape tells does and other bucks, “I’m here!” Learn More More information What’s next for deer community science: Northern Maine Wintering Deer Survey Other active community science projects: Fish Tag Reporting Maine Golden Eagle Study Maine Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project Maine Deer Management: Maine’s Big Game Management Plan Game Species Conservation & Management Report The Benefits of Hunting: Supporting Wildlife, Conservation, and Community Subscribe Share Leave a comment
The “mini-dragon” that survived extinction: why scientists are obsessed - Futura-Sciences
A Living Relic in the Jungles of Borneo In the heart of Borneo, a remarkable reptile has become the source of endless fascination for herpetologists around the globe. The earless monitor lizard, Lanthanotus borneensis, is so rare and elusive that it’s often called the “Holy Grail” of reptiles. This genuine...
Scientists overturned hundreds of rocks in Barbados and finally found the world's smallest snake after 20 years
After nearly 20 years without a confirmed sighting, scientists in Barbados have finally rediscovered the world’s smallest-known snake. According to the Associated Press, the tiny Barbados threadsnake was found beneath a rock during an ecological survey in central Barbados, bringing an end to a search that had seen researchers turn over hundreds of rocks in the hope of finding the elusive reptile.
Centipede consumption boosts growth and gut health in endangered crocodile lizards
A new study in Biological Diversity reveals that centipede consumption enhances growth and gut microbiome homeostasis in juvenile crocodile lizards by enriching beneficial fermentative bacteria and elevating short chain fatty acid production, underlining the critical role of dietary diversity in the conservation of endangered reptiles.
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science offers fun and educational activities for all ages
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science features reptiles, aquariums, a Dinosaur trail, and more. It hold events all year with educational activities for all ages.
15,000 years ago, desert dwellers dined on snakes and lizards
The Natufians knew how to butcher their reptiles.
Cicadas, astronauts, measles and jazzy reptiles led 2025 science stories
Woo! Science looks back on a year of science reptiles, including the return of astronauts way too long in space, a ruckus of cicadas, and artistic lizard.
Pinckney-area pet store asking the community to support local
The store has been open for over 13 years and sells items for dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, indoor and outdoor birds and other small animals.
Scientists Sound Alarm Over New Predator Threatening the Everglades Ecosystem - Futura-Sciences
A South American Arrival in the Florida Swamps Once exclusive territory of Florida’s native crocodiles and alligators, the wetlands now face a new—and unwelcome—resident. The spectacled caiman, with its distinctive bony ridge between its eyes (hence the “spectacled” nickname), can reach lengths of up to 8 feet. These reptiles, native...
Florida euthanizes 5,195 frozen iguanas
First introduced during the 1960, the invasive reptiles were ‘cold-stunned’ during a record-breaking cold snap.
Scientists stunned: the red-footed tortoise may actually have an optimistic mindset - Futura-Sciences
Meet the Reptile Detectives: At Lincoln University’s Cold-Blooded Cognition Lab Let’s take a trip (no suitcase needed!) to the Cold-Blooded Cognition Lab at Lincoln University, right in the heart of England, not far from the East coast. Our host is Anna Wilkinson, founder of the lab back in 2007. Anna...
289-million-year-old mummified reptile reveals how breathing began on land
A remarkably preserved, mummified reptile from 289 million years ago is rewriting what we know about how animals first breathed on land. This tiny creature, Captorhinus aguti, reveals the earliest known version of the rib-powered breathing system used by modern reptiles, birds, and mammals — a crucial innovation that helped vertebrates thrive outside water.
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science celebrating World Snake Day with hands-on event
Reptile lovers are in for a serpentine celebration on Friday at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson.
APS' 70th STEM Expo to feature student science projects, reptile show
Akron Public Schools' STEM Expo on March 7 features 200 student science projects, a bridge-breaking competition, reptile show and interactive booths.
Scientists discovered four snakes curled together in a burrow for 38 million years as the volcanic ash preserved their remarkable fossils
A snake fossil discovery in Wyoming has given palaeontologists an unusually close look at the lives of these ancient reptiles. Four complete skeletons belonging to a newly recognised species, have helped researchers understand an early member of the ‘boa family’ and the history of small, burrowing snakes in North America.
For every known vertebrate species, two more may be hiding in plain sight
Earth’s vertebrate diversity may be far richer than anyone realized. A sweeping analysis of more than 300 studies suggests that for every known fish, bird, reptile, amphibian, or mammal species, there are about two nearly identical “cryptic” species hiding in plain sight—genetically distinct but visually almost impossible to tell apart. Thanks to advances in DNA sequencing, scientists are uncovering these long-separated lineages, some evolving independently for over a million years.
Scientists just named a new snake after Guns N’ Roses legend Slash
A newly discovered snake from New Guinea has been named after Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, who has loved reptiles since childhood. Genetic testing and physical differences confirmed that the reddish-brown groundsnake, Lielaphis slashi, is a species scientists had never formally recognized before. The nonvenomous snake may use large rear teeth to catch slippery lizards and reptile eggs.
Cicadas, astronauts, measles and jazzy reptiles led 2025 science stories
Woo! Science looks back on a year of science reptiles, including the return of astronauts way too long in space, a ruckus of cicadas, and artistic lizard.
DNA solves 250-year-old mystery of the Seychelles’ lost crocodiles
Scientists have solved the mystery of the Seychelles’ vanished crocodiles using DNA from historic museum specimens. The reptiles were not a unique species after all, but an isolated population of saltwater crocodiles that likely drifted thousands of kilometers across the Indian Ocean.
Meet a scientist tracking invasive reptiles, and even their parasites
An insider's look at Florida’s war on invaders: the giant snakes, egg-eating predators and parasites spreading through the Everglades.
Scientists uncovered a bizarre crocodile cousin from 215 million years ago that started life walking on all fours, then changed its entire stance as it grew — by adulthood it was standing upright and striding around on two legs
A crocodile relative in ancient Arizona underwent a radical transformation during its lifetime, shifting from four-legged crawler to upright biped—a developmental puzzle that rewrites what scientists thought possible for reptiles.
Turtles Are Really Weird Animals. Where Did They Come From?
The origin of turtles has puzzled scientists. A new study provides more evidence that these shelled reptiles share a common ancestor with crocodiles and birds.
A 3D-printed wheelchair is helping this turtle walk again
A volunteer used input from Redditers to fine tune the reptile’s mobility assistance device.
Zoo Mom Science Is Back At Minneola City Hall With More Cool Critters. Crikey!
Submitted by Josie Dix, Minneola Library Leaping lizards! This summer let our insects, arachnids, reptiles, and amphibians teach and entertain you on Friday, June 5 at 11 am at the Minneola City Hall Gym at 800 US-Hwy 27. Zoo Mom Science is a true Florida family business with a passion for animals. Laura Roberts is […]
Why aren't mammals as colorful as reptiles, birds or fish?
Many mammals have fur the color of brown and black. Why don't they have more exotic colors, like purple and neon pink?
Hidden genetic diversity helped inbred brown tree snakes conquer guam
A notorious snake invasion that devastated Guam’s native birds may have succeeded because the reptiles carried hidden genetic advantages. Using advanced long-read DNA sequencing, researchers uncovered more than 19,000 large genetic differences in brown tree snakes, many concentrated in genes tied to immunity and smell. This overlooked diversity may have helped a population founded by only a few snakes survive inbreeding, adapt to a new environment, and multiply to extraordinary densities.
This Diminutive Reptile Plays Rock-Paper-Scissors
Side-blotched lizards probably don’t call the game that, but they play a version of it anyway. A new study explains the hidden biology that makes this possible.
Scientists discover a universal temperature curve that governs all life
Researchers have uncovered a universal pattern showing how temperature affects life on Earth. Across thousands of species—from microbes to reptiles—performance rises gradually with warming until an optimal temperature is reached, after which it drops sharply. Although each species has its own preferred temperature range, they all follow the same underlying curve. This surprising constraint suggests evolution may have limited room to help species cope with rapid climate warming.
Scientists Discover a 245-Million-Year-Old Reptile With Its Organs Still Preserved
An international research team examined a unique fossil from China that, for the first time, preserves the digestive system of a marine reptile with a long neck that lived in the oceans 245 million years ago. Inside an almost complete fossil from China, researchers identified the stomach, liver, and intestines of a marine reptile that