Dinosaurs and other extinct creatures

Dinosaurs were several types of extinct prehistoric reptile that lived 230–65 million years ago. But did they completely die out or do they live among us today in the form of birds? And could scientists recreate a T. rex from fossilised amber? Find out the answers to these and many other questions in our collection of articles, fact files and videos. Plus discover the secrets of the fossil primate known as Ida.

  • Tyrannosaurus dinosaur
    Dino Directory

    Which dinosaurs lived in Britain and the rest of the world? Check out our guide to over 300 dinosaurs organised by body shape, country, time or using the A-Z.

  • The head and upper body of Ida, teh fossilised early primate that lived 47 million years ago
    Ida - the clue to primate evolution?

    Ida is the best-preserved fossil primate ever to have been found. Find out about the rainforest world she lived in and what she can tell us about our own ancestry.

  • Claw bone of the Baryonyx dinosaur
    Baryonyx - discovery of an unusual dinosaur

    The discovery of Baryonyx began a whole area of research on specialised fish-eating dinosaurs called spinosaurs. Watch the video to find out more about Baryonx and its significance.

  • Non-dinosaur reptiles
    Non-dinosaur reptiles

    Many ancient reptiles are often confused with dinosaurs but they do not have the physical characteristics which define a true dinosaur. Find out more about these animals.

  • Coelophysis has you in its sights
    Augmented reality Coelophysis

    Coelophysis lived in the late Triassic Period, 227-223 million years ago, and was one of the earliest dinosaurs ever to walk the Earth. Bring this prehistoric hunter to life in your home in 3D with augmented reality.

  • Dino-birds
    Dino-birds

    Are today’s birds descendants of the dinosaurs? Explore the evidence that proved exactly that.

  • High resolution image of heterodontosaurus skull
    Big teeth for a tiny dinosaur

    A tiny dinosaur with big canine teeth shows for the first time how one of the earliest dinosaurs grew into an adult.  Watch the video.

  • Earth Lab Datasite - fossils
    Earth Lab Datasite - fossils

    Find out about fossils, minerals and rocks discovered in your local area with the Earth Lab database.

  • T.rex: the killer question quiz
    T.rex: the killer question quiz

    Take the killer question quiz and decide for yourself whether you think T.rex was a scavenger, predator or even both.

  • Virtual specimens
    Virtual specimens

    Examine our virtual specimens, from fossilised trilobites to the bizarre Anomalocaris that stalked the seas 540 million years ago.

  • Gallimimus skeleton
    Ostrich dinosaurs

    Mosts therapods were meat-eaters but ostrich dinosaurs may have been different. Museum palaeontologist Paul Barrett discusses the evidence.

  • Fungus gnat in amber
    The search for DNA in amber

    Scientists discuss the controversial debate over whether dinosaur DNA really can be extracted from the fossilized resin of ancient trees.