Period K

Cretaceous

143.1000 – 66.0000 Ma

The Cretaceous is a geological period that lasted from about 143.1 to 66 Ma. It is the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era, as well as the longest. At around 77.1 million years, it is the ninth and longest geological period of the entire Phanerozoic. The name is derived from the Latin creta, 'chalk', which is abundant in deposits from the latter half of the period. It is usually abbreviated K, for its German translation Kreide.

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Cretaceous
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© Scotese, Christopher R.; Vérard, Christian; Burgener, Landon; Elling, Reece P.; Kocsis, Ádám T. · CC BY 4.0
Fossil genera 1363
Paronychodon
Paronychodon
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
135 occ.
Triceratops
Triceratops
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
101 occ.
Iguanodon
Iguanodon
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
99 occ.
Richardoestesia
Richardoestesia
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
99 occ.
Saurornitholestes
Saurornitholestes
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
69 occ.
Caririchnium
Caririchnium
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
64 occ.
Brontopodus
Brontopodus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Extinct
55 occ.
Troodon
Troodon
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
48 occ.
Edmontosaurus
Edmontosaurus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
45 occ.
Prognathodon
Prognathodon
Marine reptiles
Valid Extinct
45 occ.
Hadrosauropodus
Hadrosauropodus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
41 occ.
Platecarpus
Platecarpus
Marine reptiles
Valid Extinct
38 occ.
Zalmoxes
Zalmoxes
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
37 occ.
Psittacosaurus
Psittacosaurus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
36 occ.
Mosasaurus
Mosasaurus
Marine reptiles
Valid Extinct
35 occ.
Amblydactylus
Amblydactylus
Dinosaurs
Ichnogenus Formal taxon Extinct
31 occ.
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News 43
New Species of Enormous Mosasaur is Described
A newly named giant Tylosaurus species has been named by researchers.  The new species of Tylosaurus has been erected based on fossils found in northern Texas. This enormous predator ruled the ancient seas around 80 million years ago (Campanian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous).  The scientific paper was published in the Bulletin of the American
26/05/2026 everythingdinosaur
A New Sauropod Dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil
A new genus of sauropod dinosaur has been named from Brazil.  It expands the known diversity of Early Cretaceous sauropods in the northern part of South America. In addition, the newly named dinosaur Dasosaurus tocantinensis provides fresh evidence of dinosaur dispersal between Europe, Africa and South America. The scientific paper describing the new taxon was
15/05/2026 everythingdinosaur
Giant New Dinosaur Species Discovered in Thailand Reveals Hidden Diversity of Asian Titans
Giant New Dinosaur Species Discovered in Thailand Reveals Hidden Diversity of Asian Titans
Paleontologists have identified a new genus and species of somphospondylan titanosauriform dinosaur -- the largest ever found in Southeast Asia -- from the fossilized bones found in Thailand, offering fresh evidence that the region was home to a surprisingly diverse group of enormous plant-eaters during the Early Cretaceous. The post Giant New Dinosaur Species Discovered in Thailand Reveals Hidden Diversity of Asian Titans appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
14/05/2026 sci-news
Duplicated Genomes Helped Flowering Plants Survive End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction
Duplicated Genomes Helped Flowering Plants Survive End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction
A new analysis of 470 flowering plant species finds that whole-genome duplication surged precisely during Earth’s environmental crises, suggesting nature keeps a backup plan hidden in plain sight. The post Duplicated Genomes Helped Flowering Plants Survive End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
12/05/2026 sci-news
Gongshuilong: Beast of the Week
Gongshuilong: Beast of the Week
 Today we're checking out a recently described hadrosaur with a unique look, Gongshuilong fanwei!Gongshuilong lived in what is now eastern China, during the late Cretaceous period, between 68 and 66 million years ago.  From beak to tail it measured about 23 feet (7m) long and would have been a plant-eater when alive.  The genus name translates from Mandarin to "Gong River Dragon" in reference to the Gong River near where its bones were discovered.Gongshuilong life reconstruction in watercolors b
10/05/2026 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
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Parent interval
Mesozoic Era
Sub-intervals 2
Early Cretaceous
143.1000 – 100.5000
Late Cretaceous
100.5000 – 66.0000