(NEXSTAR) — This week, a bioscience firm based in Texas, dedicated to "reviving" animal species from the past as well as those expected to become extinct in the future, announced they successfully engineered three specimens. dire wolves — which have been vanished for more than 10,000 years.
Though Colossal Biosciences Some have referred to this scientific achievement as "reviving the first animal from extinction," but not everyone in the field agrees about its feasibility. For instance, Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University of Buffalo, stated to the Associated Press that present technological capabilities can merely "create an appearance similar to something else."
Scientific disputes besides, the chance of the return of the fiercewolf Has sparked renewed online discussion about the concept of a genuine "Jurassic Park." Considering this, here are some extinct species we're hoping scientists won’t bring back.
Deinosuchus
The ancient crocodiles of the Deinosuchus The genus expanded to the size of a school bus and is thought to have hunted massive dinosaurs—such as the T-rerex—by lying in wait near ancient coastlines. Known as "super crocs," these top-tier predators possessed six-inch-long teeth and once dominated as the biggest carnivores in North America, as stated by reports. Western Australian Museum They could weigh as much as 7 tons, and researchers have observed that fossils from other top predators exhibit bite marks thought to be inflicted by this prehistoric beast.
Meganeura
These enormous carnivorous insects resembling giant dragonflies are among the largest known flying insect species throughout history (if not the largest). the ) with a wingspan reaching up to 2.5 feet, as stated Furman University If a giant flying insect isn't frightening enough for you, it not only exists but is also meat-eating, although Meganeura largely consumed only other insects and tiny creatures.
Titanoboa
Well, the name pretty much says it all.
The biggest snake ever recorded, Titanoboa It grew approximately 50 feet in length and around three feet in width, as stated by the Florida Museum of Natural History. To put this into perspective, an average school bus typically ranges from 35 to 45 feet in length.
At one point, Titanoboa was the largest known predator on the planet, the museum explains, and likely weighed at least one ton. Of Titanoboa’s size and heft, Smithsonian Magazine says “the thickest part of its body would be nearly as high as a man’s waist.” The creature (which is just begging To become the protagonist of an action-thriller), it was infamous for haunting murky waters, where it hunted crocodiles and other underwater hunters.
‘Terror birds’
The meat-eating birds incapable of flying Phorusrhacidae The family was genuinely terrifying, akin to something out of a nightmare. “Terror birds,” As they're typically known, these creatures could grow up to 10 feet tall, weigh as much as 300 pounds, and were capable of sprinting at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour when chasing their quarry, according to reports. University of Maryland These raptors, equipped with sharp talons and an aggressive nature, probably dispatched their prey using their moderately hooked bills. They could effortlessly take down both large and small victims.
Helicoprion
It’s a shark equipped with a chainsaw-like jaw (more or less).
Helicoprion Was a genus of shark-like fishes renowned primarily for their peculiar lower-jaw "tooth whorls," resembling the edge of a buzzsaw, as explained by the Western Australian Museum. These structures typically featured around 14 jagged teeth.
Again, though the creature resembles a shark, research shows it’s closer in relation to ratfish. University of Idaho explains that some helicoprion grew to over 30 feet (the average modern-day male great white shark only reaches about 13 feet in length) and fed on squid, sharks, and various other fish.
Ultimately, there were numerous additional vanished species we aimed to feature; however, we couldn't locate suitable images for them. As a follow-up step, conduct a Google search for more options. gigantopithecus blacki (a 10-foot tall gorilla) and the giant short-faced bears from the Arctodus lineage, which also reached heights of around 10 feet.
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