Episode 161: Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Reptiles

About this episode

This episode surveys extinct animal species from the Permian through the Cretaceous periods, discussing various groups and their characteristics.

A survey of extinct animal species from the Permian through the Cretaceous periods. We discuss important differences between anapsids, synapsids, and diapsids, and then review diverse species from all groups, including pelycosaurs, therapsids, parareptiles, euryapsids, pterosaurs, pseudosuchia, and dinosaurs. We also consider aspects including bipedal gait, endothermy, gigantism, and the cause of the end Cretaceous mass extinction. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 160: The Evolution of Animals. If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or becoming a Patreon supporter. https://www.patreon.com/jamesfodor https://www.paypal.me/ScienceofEverything

People in this episode

Host: James Fodor

Topics covered

• dinosaurs
• ancient reptiles
• extinct species
• evolution
• mass extinction
• paleontology

Keywords

• dinosaurs
• pelycosaurs
• therapsids
• pterosaurs
• bipedal gait
• endothermy
• gigantism
• mass extinction

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Episode 160: The Evolution of Animals

More episodes of The Science of Everything Podcast

• Episode 160: The Evolution of Animals · May 1, 2026 · 1h 23m
• Episode 159: Quantum Electrodynamics Part 2 · April 1, 2026 · 45 min
• Episode 158: Quantum Electodynamics Part 1 · March 1, 2026 · 51 min
• Episode 157: The Geologic Time Scale · January 17, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Episode 156: Fossils and Dating Methods · November 30, 2025 · 1h 11m
• Episode 155: Embryology and Development · October 24, 2025 · 1h 10m