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Cretaceous Period
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Cretaceous paleogeography geologic time
The video thumbnail image shows an illustration of the bird dinosaur Longipteryx alongside two toy dinosaur figurines.
Image shows a reconstruction of squidlike creatures swimming. skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex Image shows a Triceratops skeleton. Image shows a Pteranodon skeleton. Hesperornis
Silhouette of a bird with outstretched wings holding a "Hello, my name is ?" badge, next to a set of four large, weathered bones on a dark background.
Chicxulub crater
For Students
Cretaceous Period summary
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Cretaceous Period: Related Content

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News •

113 Million-Year-Old 'Hell Ant' Discovery Is Oldest Ever Found • Apr. 25, 2025, 3:22 AM ET (ScienceAlert)
New Cretaceous mammal fossil discovered for the first time in Mongolia • Apr. 7, 2025, 11:08 PM ET (The Star)

Photos and Videos

Cretaceous paleogeography
geologic time
Image shows a reconstruction of squidlike creatures swimming.
skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex
Image shows a Triceratops skeleton.
Image shows a Pteranodon skeleton.
Hesperornis
Chicxulub crater
computer-generated image of the Chicxulub crater
Cretaceous Period in geologic time
The video thumbnail image shows an illustration of the bird dinosaur Longipteryx alongside two toy dinosaur figurines.
Silhouette of a bird with outstretched wings holding a "Hello, my name is ?" badge, next to a set of four large, weathered bones on a dark background.
See All Videos and Images →

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Key People

Mantell, detail of an engraving
Gideon Algernon Mantell
British paleontologist