Prehistoric Life

Erik Crawford
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Updated Semiweekly

Discussions on Prehistoric Life (aka Dinosaurs)

  1. 2d ago

    A NEW THERIZINOSAUR Has Been Discovered! | Kayrasaurus changliensis Explained

    🦖 A NEW THERIZINOSAUR HAS BEEN DISCOVERED! Meet Kayrasaurus changliensis, a newly described therizinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China. In this episode of the Prehistoric Life Podcast, we're taking a look at this bizarre new dinosaur and what its discovery can tell us about the evolution and ecology of early therizinosaurs. The specimen is particularly interesting because it is nearly complete and skeletally immature, yet was already substantially larger than other therizinosaurs known from the same Jehol ecosystem. The researchers estimate that Kayrasaurus was at least 1.6 times larger than Beipiaosaurus inexpectus, the next-largest therizinosaur from the same ecosystem. We'll look at: 🦖 What Kayrasaurus changliensis was 🦴 Where it was discovered 🦷 Its unusual, extremely small and densely packed teeth 🦕 Its unusual neck vertebrae and hand claw anatomy 🌎 How it fits into the famous Jehol Biota 🍃 Possible differences in ecological niches between early therizinosaurs 🧬 What this discovery tells us about therizinosaur evolution 🔬 And why the researchers emphasize that more fossils and analyses are still needed to test these ideas One of the really fascinating parts of this research is that the authors provisionally identify different ecological strategies among Jehol therizinosaurs. Beipiaosaurus and possibly Kayrasaurus show features associated with greater bite force and a more robust, less cursorial body plan, while Jianchangosaurus and Lingyuanosaurus show characteristics associated with greater cursoriality and forelimb-based foraging. As always, it's important to distinguish between what the fossils directly show and what researchers are interpreting from them. The authors specifically note that additional analyses and more complete specimens will be necessary to rigorously test and refine these ecological hypotheses. 🔬 READ THE SCIENTIFIC PAPER The research was published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, a scientific journal specializing in paleontological systematics, including taxonomy, phylogenetics, functional morphology, evolution, and paleoecology. 📄 Exact Paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14772019.2026.2710287 “A new therizinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota and ecomorphological patterns among early therizinosaurians” — Liao et al. 2026 Journal: Journal of Systematic Palaeontology Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Article: 2710287 DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2026.2710287 🦖 HELP BRING PREHISTORIC LIFE TO SOUTH CAROLINA! I'm also currently working toward something much bigger: creating a natural history and paleontology museum in South Carolina. To help make that vision a reality, I'm currently running a Kickstarter to fund the first major physical exhibit for the project—a full-scale dynamic scene featuring an Allosaurus jimmadseni pursuing a juvenile Stegosaurus. The goal is to create an exhibit that can eventually be displayed in the future museum, while also being transportable for educational events and public outreach along the way. 💰 If you'd like to support the project, please consider donating to the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/palmettopaleonmuseum/help-bring-prehistoric-life-to-south-carolina?ref=d54alm Even if you can't donate, sharing the campaign helps tremendously. 🦕 Help Bring Prehistoric Life to South Carolina: Support the Kickstarter Every contribution helps move this project one step closer to becoming a reality. 🎙️ PREHISTORIC LIFE PODCAST Exploring the past. Discovering the science. Bringing prehistoric life to you. If you enjoy dinosaur discoveries, fossils, paleontology research, museum projects, and prehistoric life, subscribe to Prehistoric Life and join me for the next discovery! 🦖 LET'S GET PREHISTORIC!

  2. Sep 11

    How I Plan to Turn an Old School Into a Natural History Museum | My 3-Stage Plan

    🏛️ WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO TURN AN OLD SCHOOL BUILDING INTO A NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM?In this episode of the Prehistoric Life Podcast, I'm taking you inside my current vision for a future natural history and paleontology museum in the Bull Street District of Columbia, South Carolina.For years, I've talked about my goal of creating a museum where people can experience dinosaurs, fossils, geology, and the incredible history of life on Earth. But one of the biggest questions has always been:What would the museum actually look like?Today, I'm revealing my three-stage floor plan and development concept for transforming an old school building into a future museum.Instead of trying to build everything at once, this plan looks at how the museum could potentially grow in stages—starting with the first exhibits and eventually expanding into a larger experience filled with prehistoric life, fossils, educational opportunities, and more.🦖 In this episode, I discuss:• The old school building I'm envisioning for the project• Why the Bull Street District could be an exciting location• My three-stage approach to developing the museum• How the floor plan could evolve as the project grows• Potential exhibit spaces and future expansion• My vision for dinosaurs, fossils, geology, and natural history• And how this could eventually become a major destination for prehistoric life in South CarolinaThis is still a vision and developing plan, but I wanted to share how I'm thinking about taking this dream from an idea and turning it into something that could potentially grow step by step.🦴 SHOUTOUT TO MEGA CROC!A huge shoutout to Mega Croc for being part of the inspiration and conversation surrounding dinosaur displays, museums, and the incredible world of prehistoric life!Be sure to check out Mega Croc's YouTube channel:Mega Croc on YouTube🦖 HELP BUILD THE FIRST EXHIBIT!I'm also currently raising support for the first physical exhibit in this larger museum journey: a full-scale dynamic scene featuring an Allosaurus jimmadseni pursuing a juvenile Stegosaurus.This exhibit is intended to be transportable, allowing it to potentially be used for educational events and public appearances as the larger museum vision continues to develop. The Kickstarter campaign is seeking roughly $15,000 toward construction and related costs.👉 Support the Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/palmettopaleonmuseum/help-bring-prehistoric-life-to-south-carolina?ref=d54almHelp Bring Prehistoric Life to South CarolinaEven if you can't contribute financially, sharing the campaign helps tremendously!Every museum has to start somewhere.This is my plan to start.🎙️ Prehistoric Life PodcastExploring the past. Discovering the science. Bringing prehistoric life to you.#Paleontology #Dinosaurs #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Museum #MuseumFloorPlan #DinosaurMuseum #BullStreetDistrict #ColumbiaSC #SouthCarolina #PrehistoricLife #PrehistoricLifePodcast #Allosaurus #Stegosaurus #Kickstarter #MegaCroc #Fossils #NaturalHistory

  3. Sep 4

    Prehistoric Live 2026 Day 2 🦖 | May 2nd Full Event (Final Day!)

    📄 YouTube Description🦖 Welcome to Day 2 of Prehistoric Live 2026!📅 May 2nd, 2026 — the final day of an incredible journey into dinosaurs and prehistoric life.From cutting-edge research to fossil reconstructions and deep-time discoveries, Day 2 brings together a diverse group of speakers to close out Prehistoric Live with insight, passion, and serious prehistoric energy.🎤 Day 2 Speaker Lineup:🕒 3:00 PM EST – Jonas CruzAn 18-year-old published researcher focusing on dinosaur soft tissue, insect scavenging, and taphonomy. His work uses advanced microscopy to study preserved materials in dinosaurs like Triceratops and Edmontosaurus, while also making science accessible through outreach.🕓 4:00 PM EST – Colin BoisvertA PhD student studying theropods and sauropods, with a focus on dinosaur transitions between the Jurassic and Cretaceous, including topics like the Mid-Cretaceous Sauropod Hiatus and allosauroid extinction.🕔 5:00 PM EST – The Dinosaur Skeleton TeamA specialist studio producing scientifically accurate, museum-quality dinosaur skeleton reconstructions and replicas for institutions and collectors worldwide.🕕 6:00 PM EST – Brian CurticeAlso known as “Dr. BC,” a paleontologist and founder of Fossil Crates, known for breaking down major dinosaur discoveries and sharing insights from the field.🦕 This marks the conclusion of Prehistoric Live 2026 — thank you for being part of it!🔗 Learn more about the event:https://prehistoriclifepodcast.com/prehistoric-live/👍 Subscribe for more dinosaur content, interviews, and future live events.🦖 LET’S GET PREHISTORIC#PrehistoricLive #Dinosaurs #Paleontology #Fossils #Science #LiveEvent

  4. Sep 4

    The Academy of Natural Sciences Is Closing | Support Your Local Museums

    🏛️ ANOTHER NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM IS CLOSING.https://www.inquirer.com/education/academy-of-natural-sciences-closing-museum-philadelphia-20260901.htmlOn September 1, 2026, Drexel University and the Academy of Natural Sciences announced that the Academy's museum in Philadelphia will close at the end of September, ending nearly 200 years of public museum operations. The museum opened to the public in 1828.And honestly… this one hurts.In this episode of the Prehistoric Life Podcast, I talk about the closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, what it means for the natural history and paleontology community, and why I think this should be a wake-up call for all of us who care about museums.The Academy isn't simply disappearing as a scientific institution. Its collections, research, and scientific mission will continue. The institution currently cares for more than 19 million biological specimens, fossils, archives, and other scientific resources, including more than 73,000 type specimens.But the public museum is closing.And that distinction matters.The Academy and Drexel have cited declining visitation, changes in audience behavior following the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing operating costs as major factors behind the decision.In this episode, I discuss my frustration with the situation, including the larger challenges facing museums when funding becomes increasingly difficult and major academic institutions have to make difficult financial decisions.But I also want to look at our responsibility as museum visitors.Because here's the uncomfortable truth:If we don't support our museums, we can't expect them to survive.If you have a natural history museum in your city—GO VISIT IT.If there's a small paleontology museum nearby—GO VISIT IT.Buy a ticket.Become a member.Buy something from the gift shop.Donate if you can.Bring your kids.Bring your friends.Share their posts.Tell people about them.Don't wait until the museum announces that it's closing to suddenly realize how much it meant to you.And most importantly, if you are able to visit the Academy of Natural Sciences before the closure, please go.The museum's regular public hours are scheduled to end September 27, with the institution's announcement stating that the museum itself will close September 30.🦖 Dinosaur museums.🦴 Natural history museums.🌎 Science museums.🏛️ Local museums.They need us.This episode isn't meant to attack the people working at the Academy or pretend that there is one simple explanation for an incredibly complicated financial situation.It's a rallying cry.Support your local museum before you lose it.Because every museum that closes means fewer places where the next generation can discover dinosaurs, fossils, geology, biology, evolution, and the incredible history of our planet.And as someone who dreams of someday creating a natural history museum of my own, this hits especially close to home.🎙️ Prehistoric Life PodcastExploring the past. Discovering the science. Bringing prehistoric life to you.🏛️ Support the Academy of Natural Sciences:Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who loves museums.And then go visit one.

  5. Sep 2

    Prehistoric Live 2026 Day 1 🦖 | May 1st Full Event (Dinosaurs, Paleoart & Science)

    📄 YouTube Description 🦖 Welcome to Day 1 of Prehistoric Live 2026!📅 May 1st, 2026 — the event kicks off with an incredible lineup of speakers from across the paleontology and paleoart world. Prehistoric Live brings together scientists, artists, and communicators to explore dinosaurs and ancient life from multiple perspectives — from fieldwork to art to cutting-edge research. 🎤 Day 1 Speaker Lineup: 🕒 3:00 PM EST – Skye WalkerA field paleontologist and science communicator known as “The Dinomancer,” Skye works with Elevation Science and shares real-time fossil discoveries, from dinosaurs to ammonites, making paleontology engaging and accessible. 🕓 4:00 PM EST – GoGoMrDoDoA digital artist and animator creating expressive, character-driven paleoart and prehistoric comics that blend science with imaginative storytelling. 🕔 5:00 PM EST – Noel OuelletteAn avocational paleontologist, paleoartist, and science communicator who shares his passion for ancient life through outreach, focusing on topics like dinosaur diets, faunal turnover, and ecosystem diversity. 🕕 6:00 PM EST – Jake KotevskiA researcher specializing in Australian theropods and early megaraptorids, whose work has helped identify the first known carcharodontosaurians in Australia and explores dinosaur evolution across ancient continents. 📅 Day 2 continues the event with even more speakers and prehistoric content. 🔗 Learn more about Prehistoric Live:https://prehistoriclifepodcast.com/prehistoric-live/ 👍 Subscribe for more dinosaur content, interviews, and live events. 🦕 LET’S GET PREHISTORIC #PrehistoricLive #Dinosaurs #Paleontology #Paleoart #Fossils #Science #LiveEvent

  6. Aug 28

    The First Dinosaur Exhibit Is Being Built! | Help Bring Prehistoric Life to SC

    🦖 THE FIRST STEP TOWARD MY MUSEUM STARTS HERE. If you want to support: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/palmettopaleonmuseum/help-bring-prehistoric-life-to-south-carolina?ref=d54alm For years, I've talked about my dream of creating a paleontology and natural history museum in South Carolina. Now, I'm finally taking the first real physical step toward making that dream a reality. In this episode of the Prehistoric Life Podcast, I'm announcing the launch of my Kickstarter campaign to help create the first major exhibit for what I hope will eventually become a permanent museum in Columbia, South Carolina. And that first exhibit is going to be something very special: 🦖 Allosaurus jimmadseni 🦕 Juvenile Stegosaurus The planned exhibit will depict an Allosaurus jimmadseni pursuing a juvenile Stegosaurus in a dynamic, lifelike scene. Rather than simply displaying two skeletons, the goal is to show these animals as living creatures interacting with one another. The behavior depicted will be a hypothetical scientific reconstruction, and I'll explain in the episode why I think it's important for museums to distinguish between what we know, what we have evidence for, and what represents our best scientific interpretation. 🏛️ BUT THIS IS BIGGER THAN ONE EXHIBIT The ultimate goal is a permanent natural history and paleontology museum in Columbia, South Carolina, where visitors can experience: 🦴 Full-scale prehistoric animal reconstructions 🔬 Authentic fossils and scientific specimens 🏛️ Research and fossil preparation 🌎 Prehistoric life from South Carolina and around the world 🎓 Educational programs and experiences 🦖 Dynamic exhibits that bring prehistoric ecosystems to life The first Allosaurus and Stegosaurus exhibit is meant to be transportable and reusable, allowing it to potentially visit schools, educational events, and public appearances before eventually becoming part of the permanent museum. 💰 HELP MAKE THE FIRST STEP POSSIBLE The Kickstarter goal is approximately $15k, which will help cover the construction of the Allosaurus and juvenile Stegosaurus, transportation, protective materials, Kickstarter-related costs, and other expenses involved in bringing the exhibit to life. 👉 SUPPORT THE KICKSTARTER HERE: Help Bring Prehistoric Life to South Carolina – Kickstarter And if you aren't able to contribute financially, sharing the campaign is just as important. Send it to a dinosaur-loving friend. Send it to a teacher. Send it to a museum enthusiast. Share it on social media. Every person who learns about this project helps build the community behind it. I'm just one person who grew up loving dinosaurs and decided that instead of saying "someone should build this," I'm going to try. Every museum has to start somewhere. This is our starting point. 🎙️ Prehistoric Life Podcast Exploring the past. Discovering the science. Bringing prehistoric life to you. Thank you for being part of the journey. #Paleontology #Dinosaurs #Kickstarter #PrehistoricLife #PrehistoricLifePodcast #SouthCarolina #ColumbiaSC #DinosaurMuseum #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Allosaurus #AllosaurusJimmadseni #Stegosaurus #Fossils #Museum #PaleontologyMuseum #DinosaurExhibit

  7. Aug 21

    Can We Build a Natural History Museum Together? | My Kickstarter Plan

    Can We Build a Natural History Museum Together? | My Kickstarter PlanDescription🦖 WHAT IF WE COULD BUILD A NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM TOGETHER?For years, I've dreamed of creating my own natural history museum—a place where people can experience dinosaurs, fossils, geology, and the incredible story of life on Earth.In this episode of the Prehistoric Life Podcast, I'm talking about an idea that could help turn that dream into a reality: launching a Kickstarter campaign to help establish the museum.The long-term goal is to create a natural history museum in the Bull Street District of Columbia, South Carolina, focused on bringing prehistoric life and natural history to the public.This isn't something that can happen overnight. There is a tremendous amount of work, planning, fundraising, and preparation that needs to happen first. But every great museum has to start somewhere.And this could be the beginning.🏛️ In this episode, I talk about:• Why I'm considering a Kickstarter• What the money could help establish• My vision for a natural history museum• The importance of building a community around this project• What I want the museum to eventually become• How supporters could potentially become part of the journey• And my long-term ambitions for creating a museum in Columbia, South CarolinaThis isn't just about building another museum.It's about creating a place where people can see dinosaurs, discover fossils, learn about Earth's history, and become inspired by paleontology and natural history.If you've ever wanted to help make something like this happen, this is your chance to hear the idea from the beginning.🦴 This is only the beginning.🎙️ Prehistoric Life PodcastExploring the past. Discovering the science. Bringing prehistoric life to you.#Paleontology #Dinosaurs #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Museum #Kickstarter #PrehistoricLife #PrehistoricLifePodcast #SouthCarolina #ColumbiaSC #BullStreetDistrict #DinosaurMuseum #Fossils #PaleontologyMuseum #MuseumProject

  8. Aug 14

    Putting Dinosaurs Back Together | Comparative vs. Dynamic Articulation

    🦴 Comparative Articulation I define comparative articulation as a full specimen, or most of a specimen, articulated primarily to display its biological structure—essentially answering the question: "What are they supposed to look like?" The goal is to clearly communicate the animal's anatomy and allow visitors to understand how the bones fit together. 🏃 Dynamic Articulation Dynamic articulation takes a different approach. I define it as reconstructing the entire skeleton in a dynamic, lifelike posture designed to demonstrate natural biomechanics—essentially showing: "What did they do?" Rather than simply presenting the skeleton, the display attempts to capture an action or behavior, giving visitors a sense of how the animal may have moved and interacted with its environment. In this episode, I'll discuss the differences between these approaches, the strengths and weaknesses of each, and why I think both have an important place in modern natural history museums. Should a dinosaur skeleton stand in a scientifically clear anatomical pose? Or should it be running, fighting, feeding, hunting, or performing some other behavior? And ultimately, can a museum display do both? 🎙️ Prehistoric Life Podcast Exploring the past. Discovering the science. Bringing prehistoric life to you. #Paleontology #Dinosaurs #Museum #NaturalHistoryMuseum #DinosaurMuseum #Fossils #DinosaurSkeleton #PaleontologyPodcast #PrehistoricLife #PrehistoricLifePodcast #MuseumDisplays #DinosaurDisplay #DinosaurArticulation #MuseumExhibits #Dinosaurs

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Discussions on Prehistoric Life (aka Dinosaurs)

Information

  • Creator
    Erik Crawford
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    382
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Erik Crawford
  • Show Website
    Prehistoric Life