Epoch

Late Cretaceous

100.5000 – 66.0000 Ma

The Late Cretaceous is the more recent of two epochs into which the Cretaceous Period is divided in the geologic time scale. Rock strata from this epoch form the Upper Cretaceous Series. The Cretaceous is named after creta, the Latin word for the white limestone known as chalk. The chalk of northern France and the white cliffs of south-eastern England date from the Cretaceous Period.

← Geological time scale
Late Cretaceous
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© Scotese, Christopher R.; Vérard, Christian; Burgener, Landon; Elling, Reece P.; Kocsis, Ádám T. · CC BY 4.0
Fossil genera 859
Paronychodon
Paronychodon
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
131 occ.
Triceratops
Triceratops
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
101 occ.
Richardoestesia
Richardoestesia
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
94 occ.
Saurornitholestes
Saurornitholestes
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
68 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
40 occ.
Platecarpus
Platecarpus
Marine reptiles
Valid Extinct
38 occ.
Zalmoxes
Zalmoxes
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
37 occ.
Mosasaurus
Mosasaurus
Marine reptiles
Valid Extinct
34 occ.
Tarbosaurus
Tarbosaurus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
28 occ.
Dromaeosaurus
Dromaeosaurus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
27 occ.
Tylosaurus
Tylosaurus
Marine reptiles
Valid Extinct
26 occ.
Thescelosaurus
Thescelosaurus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
24 occ.
Saurolophus
Saurolophus
Dinosaurs
Valid Extinct
23 occ.
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News 12
A New Unenlagiid Dinosaur from Patagonia (Argentina)
A team of scientists from Argentina and Japan has described a new species of unenlagiid dinosaur from southern Patagonia. Named Kank australis, this small, theropod dinosaur lived around 70 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous. The fossil remains were discovered in the Chorrillo Formation of Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. The discovery helps palaeontologists better
02/06/2026 everythingdinosaur
New Dinosaur Species from Argentina May Have Specialized in Catching Fish
New Dinosaur Species from Argentina May Have Specialized in Catching Fish
Paleontologists in Argentina have identified a previously unknown species of unenlagiid dinosaur that stalked freshwater wetlands during the Late Cretaceous epoch, adding to evidence that some dinosaurs specialized in catching fish. The post New Dinosaur Species from Argentina May Have Specialized in Catching Fish appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
29/05/2026 sci-news
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
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
Mexidracon: Beast of the Week
Mexidracon: Beast of the Week
 This week we will be taking a look at a unusual theropod.  Check out Mexidracon longimanus!Mexidracon was a theropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Coahuila, Mexico, during the late Cretaceous period, about 72 million years ago.  From beak to tail it measured about 10 feet (3m) long.  Its genus name translates to "Mexican Dragon" and its species name to "long hand".  It may have been a plant-eater when alive or possibly eaten a mix of both plants and meat.  Mexidracon life reconstruction in
03/05/2026 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
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Parent interval
Cretaceous Period
Sub-intervals 6
Cenomanian
100.5000 – 93.9000
Turonian
93.9000 – 89.8000
Coniacian
89.8000 – 85.7000
Santonian
85.7000 – 83.6000
Campanian
83.6000 – 72.2000
Maastrichtian
72.2000 – 66.0000