Terrible Lizards

Jaksot

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  S12DB19 Where Did Pterosaurs Lay Their Eggs? 16.09.2026 13min

  How did pterosaurs actually nest? Did they build colonies like seabirds, bury their soft-shelled eggs like crocodiles and turtles, or something stranger?  In this archive extract, Iszi Lawrence and Dr Dave Hone discuss pterosaur nesting behaviour, what we know about predators that might have eaten pterosaurs and their eggs, and why the fossil evidence is frustratingly limited. They also tackle what might have survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, why some small feathered dinosaurs might have been better placed to survive than larger species, and some of the most mysterious dinosaur fossils still waiting for more attention. Plus: why Amargasaurus is such a strange sauropod, what "taphonomy" actually means, and whether the fossil record is missing tiny dinosaurs — including dinosaurs as small as hummingbirds. If you'd like to support the podcast and get bonus episodes every month, join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/terriblelizards  Watch this episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/elbP8SlWJbk
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  S12DB18 How Did Dinosaur Heads Attach? 02.09.2026 10min

  Link to youtube video: https://youtu.be/VVFicHNMxys What happens when a palaeontologist goes back to his office and comes home with five boxes of dinosaur casts and fossils?  In this archive extract from one of our earliest live shows, we look at the contents of Dr Dave Hone's fossil collection including a real ceratopsian skull bone, casts of tiny dinosaurs and Iszi's Lego dinosaur that turns out to be surprisingly anatomically accurate. In this Dinosaur Bite, Dave explains how a ceratopsian's skull connects to its neck, why some fossils are particularly good for museums and outreach, and why palaeontologists have far more tiny dinosaurs than the public might expect. And just how small could an adult ceratopsian get? If you'd like to support the podcast and get bonus episodes every month, join us on Patreon:  https://patreon.com/terriblelizards If you enjoy Terrible Lizards, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a fellow dinosaur fan. It really helps us keep making new episodes.
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  S12E08 Live At Dinocon 2026 26.08.2026 53min

  Recorded live at DinoCon 2026, Iszi Lawrence and Dr Dave Hone answer audience questions covering everything from Spinosaurus and Tyrannosaurus to fossil auctions, pterosaur wings and the strangest dinosaur names imaginable. For the free video link and options to support the podcast and get bonus episodes every month, join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/terriblelizards Questions in this episode: Did Spinosaurus hunt by swimming like a crocodile, or stalking prey like a heron? If you could discover one fossil that would revolutionise our understanding of spinosaurs, what would it be? Is the famous Coelophysis cannibalism evidence still accepted? If fossils become rock, how can scientists still use chemical isotopes and other geochemical clues to study them? What is the one fossil each of you would most like to discover? Are the waffle-textured Stegosaurus plates shown in Netflix's Life on Our Planet scientifically plausible?  If you could visit any point in prehistory, where would you go? Has there been any progress understanding the enormous vertebrae from Zhuchengtyrannus? How has recognising Nanotyrannus as a separate species affected our understanding of Tyrannosaurus growth? What do you think about the recent paper on T. rex parental care? Is there any evidence that spinosaurs fought each other or other dinosaurs? Do we have any evidence that different dinosaur species hybridised? Did tyrannosaurs hunt in family groups or packs? Following the record-breaking sale of Gus, should fossils be protected by laws similar to archaeological treasure? Could high-quality 3D printing help solve the problems surrounding private fossil ownership? What's the current thinking on the famous sail of Ouranosaurus? Did pterosaurs tear their wings, and if they did, could they still fly?  What do the newly described sensitive snouts of spinosaurs tell us, and what do Dave and Iszi think about the latest debate over Suchomimus and Cristatusaurus?  Plus, Dave reveals the fossil he'd most love to discover, Iszi campaigns for giant prehistoric frogs, and the audience helps bring the episode to a suitably noisy dinosaur conclusion.  If you enjoy Terrible Lizards, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a fellow dinosaur fan as it really helps us keep making new episodes.
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  S12DB17 Why Palaeontologists Hate 'Biggest Dinosaur' Headlines 05.08.2026 10min

  In this bite from an old live stream, Iszi Lawrence and Dr Dave Hone discuss why claims of the "largest dinosaur ever" are much harder to prove than the headlines suggest. They explore how palaeontologists estimate the size of enormous titanosaurs, why complete skeletons are so rare, and why finding an even bigger individual is always a possibility. Along the way they also discuss whether dinosaurs ever stopped growing, why weight matters more than length when comparing giant animals, and why every new "biggest dinosaur" announcement should be treated with a healthy dose of scientific scepticism. Link to the article in Live Science https://www.livescience.com/largest-dinosaur-discovered-in-argentina.html Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/97pjZ7sDz2Q If you'd like to support the podcast and get bonus episodes every month, join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/terriblelizards If you enjoy Terrible Lizards, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow dinosaur fan - it really helps us keep making new episodes.
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  TLS12E07 The Business of Dinosaurs: 29.07.2026 52min

  Should dinosaur fossils belong in museums—or can they be bought and sold like works of art? When the spectacular Tyrannosaurus rex known as "Gus" was preparing to go under the hammer (and has since sold for a staggering $50 million), it reignited one of palaeontology's biggest ethical debates. In this episode Dr Dave Hone and Iszi Lawrence explore the booming fossil market and ask what happens when scientifically important specimens disappear into private collections. Is it wrong for billionaires to own dinosaurs? Can privately owned fossils still contribute to science? And why won't many scientific journals publish research based on privately owned specimens? Dave draws on his own experience working with museums, private collectors and commercial fossil dealers to explain the surprisingly complicated relationship between science, money and ownership. We discuss museums, fossil laws, famous auction sales, and why a dinosaur's scientific value isn't always the same as its auction price. Questions covered in this episode: Should dinosaur fossils be sold at auction? Why won't scientists study many privately owned fossils? Is it ethical for billionaires to own dinosaur skeletons? How do fossil auctions affect palaeontology? Could private ownership ever benefit science? Why are some fossils worth tens of millions of dollars? Support the podcast and get bonus episodes at: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards You can watch this as a video on youtube here: https://youtu.be/TaLWBc-4vvE
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  S12DB16 T. rex bite marks, the new Spinosaurus model & the next dinosaur superstar? 22.07.2026 10min

  In this archive discussion, Iszi Lawrence and Dr Dave Hone answer listener questions about museum exhibits, dinosaur reconstructions, Spinosaurus, and which prehistoric animal could become the next global superstar. You can watch this episode on youtube here: https://youtu.be/AL5bquwdpcQ Questions in this episode 🦖 Harry (age 8) asks: We saw Titus the T. rex and the supposed bite mark on its tail — is it really a bite, and what other pathologies does Titus have? 🎨 Phil asks: What does Dave think of the  life-size Spinosaurus model unveiled in Germany? 🏛️ Listener question: Is there a clade-specific or thematic dinosaur exhibition we would love to create or contribute to? ⭐ Listener question: Which dinosaur has the potential to become the next major superstar in the way Velociraptor and Spinosaurus did? Along the way, Dave explains why consultants don't always agree with every detail in a museum display, discusses the challenges of interpreting fossil injuries, and reveals his dream of creating a Dromaeosaur or Pterosaur exhibition. Support the podcast and get bonus episodes at: https://patreon.com/terriblelizards If you enjoy Terrible Lizards, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a fellow dinosaur fan. It really helps us keep making new episodes.
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  S12DB15 T. rex under the hammer 15.07.2026 14min

  With another Tyrannosaurus rex making headlines at auction, we're revisiting this discussion from 2020, recorded just after the famous sale of Stan. Iszi Lawrence and Dr Dave Hone explore why the sale stunned palaeontologists, what it could mean for museums and scientific research, and whether record-breaking prices change the fossil market forever.  This is an archive discussion, but many of the questions it raises remain just as relevant today. If you'd like to hear more, we'll have a brand new episode on 29th July looking at the sale of large fossils, the ethics of collecting, and how these extraordinary specimens end up in museums and/or private hands. Support the podcast and get bonus episodes at: https://patreon.com/terriblelizards If you enjoy Terrible Lizards, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a fellow dinosaur fan. It really helps us keep making new episodes.
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  S12DB14 Inside an Oviraptor Nest! 01.07.2026 12min

  In this 2021 clip from Terrible Lizards, Iszi and Dave discuss the fossilised Oviraptor nest that made headlines around the world. Was this really evidence that dinosaurs sat on their eggs like birds, or was the story more complicated?  Discover what embryos inside the eggs reveal about dinosaur parenting, asynchronous hatching, brooding behaviour, and why some palaeontologists think male Oviraptors may have guarded the nest. Along the way, the conversation explores ostriches, crocodiles, chickens, and how scientific discoveries can change as new evidence comes to light. Support Terrible Lizards and get bonus content at: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards Watch this episode as a video on iszitube: https://youtu.be/55ppw-nPhno  #Dinosaurs #Palaeontology #Oviraptor #Fossils #SciencePodcast
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  TLS12E06 Spinosaurus, Jurassic World & Troodon 23.06.2026 54min

  Recorded live at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival 2026, Iszi Lawrence and Dr Dave Hone tackle questions from the audience on everything from Spinosaurus salt glands and Jurassic World to feathered pterosaurs, Troodon taxonomy, AI in palaeontology and where the next great dinosaur discovery might be hiding. Questions featured in this episode include: • Could pterosaurs perch, hover or even fly backwards? • Did Spinosaurus have salt glands? • Has the Jurassic World franchise helped or harmed public understanding of dinosaurs? • Should amateur fossil collecting be restricted? • Is Troodon formosus valid again? • Do you need a PhD to work in palaeontology? • How little fossil material is needed to name a new species? • What made Troodon teeth so unusual? • What prehistoric animal would Dave and Iszi dress up as? • Has anyone tried reconstructing pterosaur calls? • Is AI useful in palaeontology? • Are pterosaur pycnofibres really feathers? • Why are Triassic ornithischian fossils so rare? • Where might the next big dinosaur discovery come from? • Have Dave or Iszi found any fossils recently?  Support Terrible Lizards on Patreon: https://patreon.com/terriblelizards Iszi Lawrence NEW audiobooks (release date: 25-06-26) https://www.audible.co.uk/author/Iszi-Lawrence/B0865T388B https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/domesday-cows-9781801999274/ Find out more about the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival: https://fossilfestival.com/ Watch this episode on youtube  (Search iszitube) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lujwm8nrvRA  
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  S12DB13 Mary Anning, Marine Reptiles & the Jurassic Coast 17.06.2026 17min

  Mary Anning is one of the most important figures in the history of paleontology  but how much do we really know about her? Recorded live at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival, Iszi Lawrence and Dr Dave Hone are joined by Kieran Satchell from Lyme Regis Museum to explore the life, discoveries and legacy of the pioneering fossil hunter who helped transform our understanding of prehistoric life. From ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs to the early days of fossil collecting on the Jurassic Coast, this episode dives into the science, history and myths surrounding Mary Anning. If you love paleontology, fossil hunting, history, dinosaurs, marine reptiles or the story of science, this one's for you. Support Terrible Lizards on Patreon: https://patreon.com/terriblelizards Watch this live on our Patreon or on youtube https://youtu.be/gtlA6kp58KA Find out more about the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival: https://fossilfestival.com/
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  S12DB12 What colour were triceratops horns? 03.06.2026 12min

  Were dinosaur horns brightly coloured? And is there really such a thing as a "top predator"? In this extract of a Terrible Lizards bonus we recorded last year, we tackle two surprisingly big dinosaur questions from our listeners. First: what colour were dinosaur horns and frills? Could horned dinosaurs like Triceratops and other ceratopsians have had vivid displays like modern birds? We explore colourful toucans, puffins, flamingos, and even vultures that deliberately dye themselves red to ask whether dinosaurs may have been much brighter and stranger than we usually imagine. Then an argument with sharp teeth: is T. rex really a "top predator"? If killer whales sometimes hunt great white sharks, are sharks apex predators? Is the whole idea of a "top predator" actually misleading? Support the podcast, ask questions and get all the full bonus episodes here: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards You can watch this episode on patreon or on youtube here: https://youtu.be/EVSC9hQckrI  
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  S12E05 Mass Extinctions, CGI & Dinosaurs 27.05.2026 56min

  Can you make a prehistoric documentary without relying on T. rex? We chat to Tim Haines, the man behind Walking with Dinosaurs and the new series Surviving Earth about mammal-like reptiles, giant extinctions, documentary trickery, CGI dinosaurs, weird prehistoric noises and how you make audiences emotionally invest in creatures that may or may not have peed. From gorgonopsians to giant climate shifts, this is a deep dive into both prehistory and documentary filmmaking. Want bonus episodes and extra Terrible Lizards goodness? Head to https://patreon.com/terriblelizards Watch the series in USA THURS 6/11 NBC and peacock. #Dinosaurs #Paleontology #Documentary #WalkingWithDinosaurs #SurvivingEarth
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  S12DB11 What Bird Eyes Reveal About Dinosaurs 20.05.2026 14min

  In this short discussion, palaeontologist Dave Hone and Iszi Lawrence chat with podcaster Suzy Buttress about the strangeness of bird eyes... from iris colour and pupil shape, to owls, crocodiles and the frustrating problem of soft tissue in fossils. Could dinosaurs really have had the slit pupils made famous by Jurassic Park? Or have we been picturing dinosaur eyes all wrong? Expect: birds, dinosaurs, crocodiles, giant marine reptile eyeballs, weird owl anatomy, and some surprisingly unsettling turkey dissection stories. This is an extract from Series 5 Episode 4 with Suzy Buttress from the Casual Birder podcast.  You can watch the footage of this recording here: https://youtu.be/czcOPj8_jC8 Support the show and grab extra content: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards
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  S12DB10 Could dinosaurs hear you whistle? 06.05.2026 11min

  Could a dinosaur hear you whistle? Did giant dinosaurs have gigantic feathers? And would a head-butting dinosaur really scrape the ground like a bull before charging? In this Dinosaur Bite episode, palaeontologist Dr Dave Hone and Iszi Lawrence tackle your brilliantly weird dinosaur questions—exploring how dinosaurs heard the world around them, what their feathers were really like, and whether famous scenes in Prehistoric Planet are grounded in science or artistic licence. From tiny, high-pitched dinosaurs to booming giants, from Velociraptor quill knobs to the mystery of feather size in creatures like Gigantoraptor, this episode dives into what we really know—and what we're still figuring out—about dinosaur biology and behaviour. Support the show and get extra content for as little as $1 dollar! https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards  
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  Enigmacursor: Small Dinosaurs, Big Impact 29.04.2026 1t 1min

  https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/giB-id1iEZE When people think of dinosaurs, it's usually the giants that come to mind—but most dinosaur groups began with much smaller, often overlooked species.  Among them are the small ornithopods: fragmentary, tricky to classify, and frequently lost in a tangle of confusing names and incomplete fossils. Yet these modest dinosaurs are hugely important. They paved the way for the later success of major groups like iguanodontids and hadrosaurs, shaping the evolutionary story of herbivorous dinosaurs.  In this episode, Paul Barrett from the Natural History Museum joins hosts Dave Hone and Iszi Lawrence to explore these fascinating underdogs—focusing on Enigmacursor, a recently named species that helps shed light on this often-neglected corner of dinosaur history. Settle in for an hour of small dinosaurs, big questions, and the challenges of working with fossils that are incomplete, confusing—and surprisingly revealing. Prof Paul Barrett | Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/people/paul-barrett.html  To support the show and get extra content: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards  
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  S12DB09 Planet of the Dinosaurs 1977 15.04.2026 14min

  Dr Dave Hone and Iszi react to an old dinosaur movie from the seventees. We recommend watching this as a video, available on our patreon (as well as on Spotify) so you can see what we are reacting to. https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards This dinosaur bite is taken from an old bonus episode for our patrons back in 2021 where we watched the full movie (it was free on YouTube back then) and did a commentary.  You can still watch the whole thing here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/60258810 Becoming a patron allows us to keep the podcast advert free and you get access to bonus content. You can join for as little as $1 but we would ask you donate whatever you can afford: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards  
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  S12DB08 Dinosaur Cuckoos? 01.04.2026 9min

  Did dinosaurs raise each other's young like modern cuckoos do? Dr Dave Hone and Iszi Lawrence discuss how we would know if brood parasitism existed millions of years ago. To get more bonus material and keep the podcast ad free go to: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards
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  S12E03 Crocs 25.03.2026 1t 1min

  Please support the show, grab extra content and keep the podcast ad free: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards You can watch this as a video on youtube here: https://youtu.be/z0y9N1bPmGY Having recently caught up with the much-overlooked prosauropods (or at least, overlooked by us), and after many requests from our patrons on patreon, this month we turn our attention to the crocodiles!  Much like birds, major parts of the biology of these animals (living and extinct) are critical for understanding dinosaur biology, evolution and behaviour, so we shouldn't avoid them as much as we have on here. Happily, this month we are joined by croc-supremo Chris Brochu to talk about his career in crocodilian biology and his work on these animals. On the way, we get into a deep discussion on identifying species and what this means for taxonomy and evolutionary studies. But we start with some work Chris did as a postdoc on a certain fossil that everyone listening will have heard of: Sue the T. rex! Chris' University webpage: https://sees.uiowa.edu/people/christopher-brochu  
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  S12DB07 Netflix: The Dinosaurs. Trailer Review 18.03.2026 21min

  Iszi and Dave briefly discuss the new Netflix series "Dinosaurs". Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ejpMkrDDsWw They analyse the accuracy of the trailer including the opening with Spinosaurus's hunting technique, neck musculature, and nostril placement, comparing it to real-world evidence and previous research.  You can watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4ZBSzYUTL0  Keep the podcast ad-free and join in the discussion here: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards
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  S12DB06 Frost Bite 04.03.2026 12min

  Dinosaurs in the Arctic and Antarctic likely survived cold conditions by using similar strategies to extant species.  The discovery of a new T. rex femur, nicknamed Goliath, potentially validates predictions about the maximum size of these dinosaurs. Or Does it? You can watch this as a video on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/0iVP_E0BfM0 Please keep the podcast advert free and get more bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards