University College London researchers discovered that ancient crocodilian lineages endured the catastrophic collision 66 million years ago because their affinity for warm conditions kept them clustered in resilient equatorial pockets. Unlike non-avian dinosaurs, which saw viable habitats collapse globally, these reptiles preserved viable strongholds where temperatures remained stable. This deep-seated biological reliance on warmth ultimately carried the lineage through two of Earth's five major mass extinction eve…
Key points
Habitats for non-avian dinosaurs contracted far more severely worldwide after the asteroi…: Habitats for non-avian dinosaurs contracted far more severely worldwide after the asteroid collision than equatorial crocodilian sanctuaries.
Rather than adapting to dramatic climate shifts, crocodile ancestors consistently tracked…: Rather than adapting to dramatic climate shifts, crocodile ancestors consistently tracked warmth over a 250-million-year evolutionary history.
Consistently relying on tropical refuges enabled crocodilian ancestors to survive through…: Consistently relying on tropical refuges enabled crocodilian ancestors to survive through two of the planet's five mass extinctions.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Date:
- October 30, 2026
- Source:
- University College London
- Summary:
- Scientists may have solved a 66-million-year-old mystery: how crocodiles survived the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. A sweeping analysis of fossils and ancient climates suggests that their preference for warm environments placed them in tropical refuges that remained habitable even after the catastrophic impact.
- Share:
Why did crocodiles survive the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago? New research suggests that their preference for warm environments may have given them a crucial advantage during one of Earth's greatest mass extinctions.
Scientists led by UCL (University College London) found that crocodiles and their ancient relatives spent much of their 250 million years of evolutionary history following warm climates rather than adapting to dramatically different temperatures. When Earth grew hotter, they expanded into new regions, sometimes reaching as far as Antarctica. As temperatures fell, they moved back toward the tropics.
Published in Science Advances, the study analyzed more than 7,000 fossils and records from over 400 living and extinct species. Researchers…
Emotional resonance serves as the primary driver behind lasting memories of physical affection. New research demonstrates that personal psychological traits such as empathy dictate how deeply people process and retain these supportive moments. These findings shed light on how interpersonal touch functions as a critical emotional anchor rather than just a simple tactile encounter.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham trapped roughly 24,000 ultracold atoms to evaluate whether the flow of time requires an outside reference frame. By tracking particle movements in a self-contained system, the team verified that chronological sequences can arise solely from shifting matter and internal entropy. This work provides crucial experimental support for quantum gravity theories that exclude a built-in time dimension.
Developmental cognitive limits often prevent young children from executing daily parental requests even when they fully comprehend the instructions. Psychologists note that competing distractions derail an immature prospective memory system, making it difficult to shift attention toward scheduled tasks. Recognizing these constraints helps families implement practical environmental supports rather than relying solely on repetitive verbal commands.