Get the latest tech news

Ancient reptile footprints are rewriting the history of when animals evolved


Scientists in Australia have identified the oldest known fossil footprints of a reptile-like animal on a slab of sandstone recovered near Melbourne.

Per Erik Ahlberg shows a slab of sandstone found near Melbourne, Australia preserving fossil footprints from a reptile-like animal that lived around 350 million years ago. Per Erik Ahlberg shows a slab of sandstone found near Melbourne, Australia preserving fossil footprints from a reptile-like animal that lived around 350 million years ago. But the branch of the evolutionary tree that led to modern reptiles, birds and mammals – known as amniotes -- developed feet with nails or claws fit for walking on hard ground.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Hacker News

Read more on:

Photo of History

History

Photo of animals

animals

Related news:

News photo

Crypto Crime Is the Future. Bank Heists Are History.

News photo

London’s water pumps: Where strange history flows freely (2024)

News photo

Show HN: Text to 3D simulation on a map (does history pretty well)