Tag Archives: Island Dwarfism

Diminishing giants

Posted on December 10, 2021 by twilightbeasts

Island dwarfism is perhaps one of the most beautiful examples of evolution through natural selection. Large animals that arrive on an island, evolve smaller sizes to survive on less food, and because there are fewer (if any) predators. (Similarly, small … Continue reading →

Posted in Cebu Tamaraw | Tagged Bubalus cebuensis, Bubalus mindorensis, Cebu, Cebu Tamaraw, Cretan Dwarf Hippopotamus, Cretan Dwarf Mammoth, Dodo, Dwarf pronghorn, Extinction, Giant Duck, Giant Rabbit, Island Dwarfism, Myotragus balearicus, Philippenes, Pleistocene, Sardinian Dwarf Mammoth | 3 Comments

The littlest Homo

Posted on June 9, 2021 by twilightbeasts

The field of human evolution is fascinating. New finds are changing our knowledge each year as more and more incredible discoveries are made. The 21st century has really opened our eyes to how wonderful and diverse our ancient relatives were. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Australopitecus, Cretan Dwarf Hippopotamus, Cretan Dwarf Mammoth, Ebu Gogo, Flores, Giant Rat, Giant Stork, Giant vulture, Homo floresiensis, Homo luzonensis, Indonesia, Island Dwarfism, Island Rule, Komodo dragon, Liang Bua Cave, Lucy, Neanderthal | 1 Comment

The lonely walk to extinction

Posted on September 8, 2017 by twilightbeasts

Our very species is an oxymoron. When Linnaeus added us to the taxonomic ranks of life, he dubbed humans Homo sapiens: literally meaning ‘wise man’. Sometimes I wonder how ‘wise’ we are. We can send people to live in space, … Continue reading →

Posted in Woolly Mammoth, Woolly Rhinoceros | Tagged Diceros biceros lonipes, DNA, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo sapiens, Island Dwarfism, Javan Rhinoceros, Mammuthus primigenius, Neanderthal, Rhinoceros sondaicus, Western Black Rhino, Woolly Mammoth, Woolly rhinoceros | 1 Comment

The last trumpet of a giant

Posted on June 5, 2015 by twilightbeasts

“The Columbian Mammoth of North America, Mammuthus columbi, is hereby designated as the official fossil of the state of Washington.” And so it was written. In 1998 the Washington State Legislature recognised the Columbian Mammoth as their official state fossil. The decision was not easy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbian Mammoth | Tagged Bering Strait, Christopher Columbus, Columbian Mammoth, Cuvieronius tropicus, Dire Wolf, giant short-faced bear, Gompothere, Hugh Falconer, Imperial Mammoth, Island Dwarfism, Mammut americanum, Mammuthus exilis, Mammuthus imperator, Mammuthus meridionalis, Mammuthus primigenius, Mastodon, Proboscideans, Smilodon, Southern Mammoth, State Fossil, Woolly Mammoth | 13 Comments

Forever young

Posted on May 30, 2015 by twilightbeasts

Being conscious of our own mortality has given our species an unhealthy fascination with immortality. Over the millennia we have conjured up stories of everlasting beings, some of which even allow us to follow them after we have died. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Key Deer | Tagged Bahia Honda Key, Bjorn Kurten, Dance of teh Tiger, Florida Keys, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo sapiens, Island Dwarfism, James Matthew Barry, Key Deer, Mouse goat, Neanderthal, Neoteny, Odocoileus virginianus, Odocoileus virginianus clavium, Peter Pan, Pudu, sStephen Jay Gould, Stegomastodon, Sugarloaf Key | 9 Comments

	The most (and least)… on A very brief introduction to…
	The most (and least)… on The Nipple Tooth
	The most (and least)… on The burrowers
	The most (and least)… on The Stuff Of Night-Mares
	The most (and least)… on The beasts within

	The most (and least)… on A very brief introduction to…
	The most (and least)… on The Nipple Tooth
	The most (and least)… on The burrowers
	The most (and least)… on The Stuff Of Night-Mares
	The most (and least)… on The beasts within