Other Extinct Animals

Some extinct animals are neither dinosaur nor mammal. Learn about trilobites and other extinct life in this section.

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Bringing a species back from extinction might not be the stuff of sci-fi any longer.

By Jesslyn Shields

On Sept. 7, 1936, Benjamin, the last known Tasmanian tiger, died in captivity at the Hobart Zoo in Tasmania, Australia. But there are those who believe this extinct species still walks the Earth.

By Wendy Bowman

Lonesome George, the last of his species of tortoises, died in the Galapagos in 2012. But scientists have now finished analyzing his DNA and found some fascinating clues about giant tortoise longevity.

By Nathan Chandler

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When we think venom, we think cobras and vipers. But Euchambersia was a reptile, a mammalian ancestor, and venomous, according to new fossil analysis.

By Patrick J. Kiger

This insect's appearance and characteristics are so unusual, it has received its own scientific order.

By Alia Hoyt

Centuries later, the flightless bird is finally getting some cred.

By Robert Lamb

More than 100 years after the last quagga died, scientists in South Africa are using selective breeding to bring it back.

By Laurie L. Dove

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Grizzly bears are usually associated with colder climates, so you might be surprised to learn that they've also called Mexico home.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

The basic idea of "Jurassic Park" — minus the carnage — is both appealing and approaching reality. But reintroducing extinct species requires some careful consideration.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

Centuries ago, people didn't just sit on park benches and feed pigeons bread -- they ate the birds, too. Needless to say, passenger pigeons did not respond well to humans' voracious appetite.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

A mysterious wild horse called the tarpan eluded hunters for centuries until succumbing to extinction. What made it special?

By Karen Kirkpatrick

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Hop in your time machine, set the clock back a few thousand years and meet some woolly wonders. They even have a few things to teach us about the fate of modern elephants.

By Nicholas Gerbis

Learn more about the top 10 most mysterious creatures to disappear from the earth.

The megalodon was born as big as an adult great white and grew to weigh as much as 7 Tyrannosaurus rex. Learn all about the megalodon.

By Joy H. Montgomery

Although it may be long extinct, this quirky bird continues to amaze scientist. The latest discovery? An awesome “musket ball” weapon located on the tip of its wing structure. Could our world once again include this big, old flightless pigeon?

By Jacob Silverman