A Brief History
On October 3, 2012, a National Geographic explorer announced the discovery of a new species of dinosaur, one with vampire-like fangs!
Digging Deeper
For this entry, we hearken back to prehistory. In fact, waaaay back to some 200 to 190 million years ago during the early Jurassic Epoch. During this time period a creature now known as Pegomastax (“strong jaw”) africanus lived with a parrot-like head and an enlarged canine-esque tooth on its lower jaw. Although believed to be a plant-eater, it may have used its intimidating looking fangs for self-defense.
Paleontologists first collected the creature’s remains in South Africa in an expedition lasting from 1966 to 1967. Then, in the 1980s, Paul Sereno (born October 11, 1957), currently a professor at the University of Chicago, first recognized the specimen’s unusual qualities. Yet, despite so much time in the hands of scholars, the new species was not actually unveiled to the non-academic world until October 3, 2012 when both National Geographic and The New York Times reported on Sereno’s findings. Indeed, it is exciting to think that even in the twenty-first century, new species are still being discovered.
Of course on another note, the creature is also a reminder that not all bizarre and frightening looking dinosaurs were necessarily the size of the T-rex. We just hope the drawing of this creature does not give too many of our readers nightmares tonight!
Question for students (and subscribers): Why is this discovery significant? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For the original news story from one of the world’s most enduring and fascinating magazines, please see this link. See also The New York Times for additional images and information.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="209 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=209">66 Comments
Very intersting that only 2ish years ago a new species was revealed!
It looked a little like Nosferatu, but from what I understand it was an avid planteater. It’s quills and fangs were more of a defensive function.
This is very cool there still discovering animals from this time period. Also it look like all the scary and strange animals from this era were mainly all plant eaters but with fangs or teeth to defend themselves.
I find it interesting that they can come up with a full description of the creature by just finding some of its remains.
I find it very interesting that the animal was actually a plant eater despite having those huge fangs. Also, it makes me wonder how many species are there left for us to discover, give how recent this discovery was.
RR
I found the fact that it wAs a plant eater AnD not a carnivore was Strange to me considering the way it looks and It’s teeth
Human Vegans still have canines which have not been shed. First hand evidence: a family member. With teeth reassignment implants, perhaps that can be solved. Exchange the canines for Vegan rather than omnivore teeth. 🙂
Mp amazing that there are still undiscovered creatures yet to find.
I always am amazed to see new creatures being discovered. Even if they may have been plant-eaters, I wouldn’t wanna come across one of them if they still existed!
It is amazing to see that this dwarf dinosaur was found in 1966 but no one in the non-academic community heard about it until 2013! It makes you wonder what else has been discovered that we have not heard about yet!
Plenty.
I would imagine that birds in the prehistoric age were the first to be picked off since they were so small in comparison to dinosaurs themselves. This parrot-like bird knew that in order to survive, it had to have a bite that was bigger than its bark! It’s fascinating that species are constantly evolving in attempts to make it in this world (humans included!)
It’s so interesting that new creatures are being discovered! It makes you wonder what new creatures will be discovered in the future.
It kind of looks like a porcupine, bat, and lizard mixed together. It’s pretty neat that we are still discovering new species of dinosaurs. I’m curious to see what else they learn bout this particular creature.
This definitely looks like the Chupacabra. I’m really hoping they discover new species, both from the past and maybe even some that may still exist
It’s crazy to think that things like this are being discovered today!
What an awesome yet strange little critter! Also, a great idea for a Halloween costume!
It’s interesting to see the shared characteristics between animals that we all know today and Dinosaurs from 190 Million years ago.
AB I agree with you. Definitely a Chupacabra.
Quick, alert Art Bell. This project definitely qualifies as one where all things that go bump in the night.
I thinks its crazy how long they kept the information before they decided to make it public! and i feel like that is a vampires best friend.
Igor, pass me the garlic and silver bullets.
I also wondered about the length of time it took them to make the discovery public. So, I speculate, imagination included:
Scene at the Recently Discovered Dinosaur Boneology Department:
Ms. Proxmire, manager of Recent Discoveries group: “Jones, what happened to the Pegomastax case. It has been about 2 and 1/2 years since you took charge of it”.
Jones: “Oh, you’re correct, it has been awhile, hasn’t it. Let’s look at the files on my laptop… Let me see… Here it is. By Jove! I nearly forgot. It’s located in Armoire # P-18 in basement room D-14. I’ll getaroundtoit this coming month, Ms. Proxmire — as soon as I wrap up this assigned project.”
There you go. Or something like that.
I never relized that these creatures existed. And the public was not informed
It’s likely the explorers, doctors and scientists have to be sure of what they have at hand. After that, the rest of us will be informed after the circles of Academia get their turn first. I don’t think it was for lack of money. National Geographic is, at least, fairly well funded. That’s my take on it.
Its so awsome that we are still finding new discoveres today
Considering the very small amount of time that humans have inhabited the earth and how long ago life on earth first started, I’m sure paleontologists will continue to find smaller strange creatures. Maybe someday evidence of the flying spaghetti monster will turn up.
I wonder if they still existed today would there be an open season on them?
It makes me wonder how many other dinosaurs have not been released to the public simply because they got put into a box or a shelf and forgotten.
This article leaves us as readers with many questions. As I found out that the discovery of this creature was not released till 2012, I felt a sense of uneasiness. I am curious as to why it was put off for so long? Are there more creatures that were discovered that we do not know about? I do agree with the article when it says, “Indeed, it is exciting to think that even in the twenty-first century, new species are still being discovered.” Because it is crazy to think we continue to grow and discovery more about the past each day.
I think it is crazy they waited a whole decade before anyone started to really talk about this creature. Then, another 30 years went by before it was revealed to anyone in the non-academic world. They always say that size is just a measurement. It does not matter how big or small something is, it can always be dangerous.
I think that it is crazy that it has taken so long for them to discover the remains of this creature and how long it took them to start talking about it. I also think that it is interesting that it has teeth that look like they were for meat eaters but only ate plants. Having these teeth makes the creature even more unique so it can fight off predators. Overall I think that it is extremely interesting that it takes so long to discover new species that were around so long ago.
It still amazes me that we can find out so much about species that lived that long ago. Also very interesting to see a smaller dinosaur. There is generally more of a focus on the giant dinosaurs like the T Rex we have come to know and love!
I think its crazy how all this time we had no idea this thing existed until recently. It opens up new opportunities for research.
I think this was pretty interesting. Dinosaurs have always seemed cool to me, so when they discover new kinds its pretty exciting!
I think its amazing how we are still finding new prehistoric creatures! this thing looks scary it amazes me that they claim it was a plant eater!
It is honestly crazy that they can find out so much information about something that has been dead for so long.
Imagine how much more we could discover about creatures as old as this in the near future with how fast our advancement and understanding of science is leading to new and better ways to learn about things we’ve never even seen.
This was very fascinating on how they are still finding info about these creatures after they are already dead. This is something that i never really thought about
I’m actually really surprised they managed to discover something like this, it just makes me realize that theres still so much left in this world that we still don’t know about
It is interesting to see that they are still finding different creatures during this century. However, I am surprised that it took so long to unveil the creature to the public.
I agree that it is odd that it took so long to be unveiled to the public.
Its interesting to know that we are still finding species from so long ago.
It is incredible to see how far society has come. We started off way back learning about what fire is and what it does. Now we have developed our knowledge with technology that is able to find facts that are unable to be found out without the technology. We can only imagine what we will find out next, maybe a new species of bird from over a million years ago or an artifact that is thousands of years ago. Our research is growing, but there will always be something else to learn.
It’s amazing what is just now being discovered. Imagine what other unique and bizarre creatures are still out there waiting to be discovered.
It’s very interesting how we are continuously finding new species of creatures even on land with us. It makes me wonder what is living in our oceans in areas we’ve never been close to seeing.
Reading an article like this really makes you wonder what could have been roaming around Earth in the history of its existence. It is very interesting analyzing the evolution of animals through time.
I never pictured dinosaurs having a parrot-like head, very interesting read. BM
Very nice to see even though so much has been discovered, there are still people out there who are not satisfied and still looking for more.
It’s really exciting that after all these years, we are still discovering new creatures and facts about them.
It is exciting to see discoveries that have been made along with what is yet to be discovered.
New species are still discovered quite regularly, living and extinct, what I found interesting was how long it took for this creature to be accepted and revealed to the public
I hope People get to vote on giving this new dino a name.
I find it incredible with all of the new discoveries especially the dinosaur looking creatures… especially when the dinosaurs went extinct so long ago
This is an interesting read! I liked how the dinosaur is in fact known to be a plant eater yet it has fangs! The fangs are used more for defensive survival rather than just for eating. It is also a smaller one rather than big like the t-rex. This shows how one can still be small and mighty!
I think it is amazing that “new” species are still being discovered today. I highly doubt there is an end to new discoveries in sight!
I find it crazy that there are still tons and tons of dinosaurs and other artifacts in the world we don’t even know exists yet; it makes me excited to know that there are so many things to still be found!
Amazing how so long after we continue to learn so much about them.
I find the fact that it was a known plant eater fascinating. It makes me wonder if we were wrong about its diet, or if its teeth really were just used to scare predators away. I also really like that it was small and frightening opposed to how we always picture dinosaurs as big and frightening.
The fact that its fangs are thought to be a defense mechanism is very interesting. I cannot think of another organism that had a certain teeth type for defense, instead of its diet.
It’ too bad that such an interesting creature wasn’t brought to the public eye until so long after its discovery. I like that it had teeth used for intimidation tactics and not just practical eating.
I think it’s amazing that we’re still discovering dinosaur like creatures even after they’ve been extinct for so long.
I find it compelling that a dinosaur fossil was found in the 1980s and not reported to the public for 30 years.
It’s interesting that we continue to find information about these creatures after they are dead
Its crazy that we found dinosaur bones even today!!