New dog-sized dinosaur identified after fossil mix-up
Share and Follow


() A new species of dinosaur the size of a Labrador retriever has been identified after scientists managed to untangle a fossil mix-up.

Incomplete fossil remains of the newly named enigmacursor mollyborthwickae were initially discovered in modern-day Colorado in 2021-22 but were misclassified by scientists as being the remains of a nanosaurus.

In a newly published report, scientists behind the discovery note that the small herbivore was about 3 feet long, with its tail making up about half of its length.

According to the museum, the name enigmacursor roughly translates to “puzzle runner” in Latin. Despite its small stature, this two-legged dinosaur had long legs, which allowed it to quickly move away from predators.

“We can speculate that Enigmacursor probably wasn’t that old, as it doesn’t seem to have many of its neural arches fused in place. However, the way the fossil was prepared before it was acquired by the Natural History Museum has obscured some of these details, so we can’t be certain,” Paul Barrett, co-lead author, said.

The remains, which date back to roughly 150 million years ago, are now on display at the Natural History Museum in London, marking the museum’s first new dinosaur on display since 2014. Unearthed from the Morrison Formation of the Western United States, the dinosaur is said to have roamed the same region as dinosaurs like the stegosaurus and diplodocus.

“While the Morrison Formation has been well-known for a long time, most of the focus has been on searching for the biggest and most impressive dinosaurs,” professor Susannah Maidment, co-lead author of the report, told the museum. “Engimacusor shows that there’s still plenty to discover in even this well-studied region and highlights just how important it is to not take historic assumptions about dinosaurs at face value.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Israeli hostages freed: Father stands from wheelchair to embrace Bar Kuperstein (Video)

Israeli Hostages Released: Emotional Reunion as Father Rises from Wheelchair to Embrace Bar Kuperstein (Video)

Israeli hostages freed: Father stands from wheelchair to embrace Bar Kuperstein (Video)…
Lombard man says Chase Bank abruptly froze over $40K of his money for weeks: 'It was extremely stressful'

Lombard Resident Faces Weeks of Anxiety After Chase Bank Freezes $40K Account

LOMBARD, Ill. (WLS) — A local man says he couldn’t access tens…
Two common medications can REVERSE liver disease, scientists claim

Researchers Announce Potential Breakthrough: Common Medications May Reverse Liver Disease

Scientists may be on the brink of a groundbreaking discovery that could…
Social Security 2026 COLA announcement date revealed: How much will it be?

Find Out the 2026 Social Security COLA Announcement Date: What Can Beneficiaries Expect?

The eagerly anticipated cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security recipients, initially planned for…
Air Force One touches down as hostages begin to be released

Historic Moment: Air Force One Lands Amid Release of Hostages, Signaling New Era of Diplomacy

Donald Trump arrived in Israel today as Hamas began releasing hostages under…
SNAP changes: Here's who could lose benefits in November

SNAP changes: Here's who could lose benefits in November

(NEXSTAR) – States are warning SNAP recipients that their eligibility for food…
Newlyweds found dead days before celebrating their first anniversary: police

Newlyweds found dead days before celebrating their first anniversary: police

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A couple from Wisconsin…
Trump signs historic Gaza peace deal in Egypt

Trump Brokers Landmark Gaza Peace Accord in Egypt: A New Era of Stability

In a historic move, Donald Trump has officially endorsed the Israel-Hamas peace…