Retour á Paris: Diables de Tasmanie, Dinosaures et Plus
The first full week of the year was a big one for me, as it was my first time ever travelling abroad on my own. In all the years I had left Ireland on a trip, I was always with … Continued
Adventures in London: From Dinosaurs to Curious Creatures
Towards the end of April, my mother and I flew to London for the first time in 13 years. Our main places of interest during our 2-night stay were ZSL London Zoo, the Natural History Museum, and Crystal Palace Park. While we … Continued
Andrewsarchus – A Most Mysterious Mammal
If you know me well, you will know that I have a huge passion for animals and wildlife, but did you know that I also have a special interest in prehistoric wildlife? Ever since I was 9, I have been … Continued
Ambulocetus
Meaning of name: Walking whale Named by: Hans Thewissen et al., 1994 Time period: Early Eocene Size: 3m long Diet: Carnivore Origin: Asia (Pakistan) Fossils seen at: Paris Interesting fact: Ambulocetus was the first early cetacean discovered to display adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle, making … Continued
Amphicyon
Meaning of name: Ambiguous dog Named by: Édouard Lartet, 1836 Time period: Miocene Size: Up to 2.5m long Diet: Carnivore but possibly omnivore Origin: North America, Eurasia, Africa Fossils seen at: Paris Interesting fact: Amphicyon is the most famous member of the ‘bear-dogs’, a … Continued
Andrewsarchus
Meaning of name: Andrews’ ruler (Roy Chapman Andrews led the expedition in which the skull was found) Named by: Henry Fairfield Osborn, 1924 Time period: Middle Eocene Size: Skull 83.4cm, full body possibly 3.6m long Diet: Carnivore or possibly omnivore Origin: Asia … Continued
Arsinoitherium
Meaning of name: Arsinoe’s beast (after an Ancient Egyptian queen) Named by: Hugh J.L. Beadnell, 1902 Time period: Late Eocene-early Oligocene Size: 3m long Diet: Herbivore Origin: Africa Fossils seen at: London, Paris Interesting fact: A study of its ear region suggested that Arsinoitherium might … Continued
Deinocheirus
Meaning of name: Terrible hand Named by: Halszka Osmólska and Ewa Roniewicz, 1970 Time period: Late Cretaceous Size: 11m long Diet: Omnivore Origin: Asia Fossils seen at: London Interesting fact: Originally known only from its massive forelimbs, it was not until 2013 … Continued
Megaloceros
Meaning of name: Great antler Named by: Joshua Brookes, 1828 Time period: Early Pleistocene-middle Holocene Size: 2m tall at the shoulders Diet: Herbivore Origin: Eurasia Fossils seen at: Dublin (both the Natural History Museum and Trinity College), Belfast, London, Edinburgh, Paris Interesting fact: … Continued
Megatherium
Meaning of name: Great beast Named by: Georges Cuvier, 1796 Time period: Early Pliocene-early Holocene Size: 6m long Diet: Herbivore Origin: South America Fossils seen at: London, Edinburgh, Paris Interesting fact: Some experts have suggested Megatherium had an omnivorous diet, and the BBC series Walking with … Continued