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Fossils provide unparalleled peeks into Earth’s living history in the form of mineralized bones and shells, body imprints and even piles of poop. There always seems to be another twist and turn in evolution’s creations awaiting trowel-wielding scientists.
From dinosaur-eating snakes to shark-bitten piles of crocodile dung (seriously), dig up some of this year’s best finds with us in celebration of National Fossil Day.
Squashed Jurassic Spider
This almost perfectly preserved spider fossil from China (one of two) dates back 165 million years ago, to the middle Jurassic era. Known as Eoplectreurys gertschi, the spiders are older than the only two other specimens known by around 120 million years and rival their detail, paleontologists said in February. Spider fossils are tough to find because their soft bodies don’t preserve well. Thanks to fine volcanic ash, however, this spider was squashed without breaking up its delicate exoskeleton. Image: Paul SeldenSee Also:
- 2-Billion-Year-Old Fossils May Be Earliest Known Multicellular Life
- Shark-Bitten Crocodile Poop Fossils Found (No, Really)
- Stunningly Preserved 165-Million-Year-Old Spider Fossil Found
- 67 Million-Year-Old Snake Fossil Found Eating Baby Dinosaurs
- Inkayacu – Peru's Giant Fossil Penguin and the Stories Its Feathers Tell
- Dinosaur Fossil Reveals True Feather Colors
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