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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab

@neilgostling.bsky.social
644 followers 322 following 77 posts

I'm Associate Professor of Evolution and Paleobiology at the Gostling Evolution and Paleobiology Lab, the University of Southampton. Birds, Dinosaurs, Mammals, 'Animals', Evolution and Paleobiology, Placentology 🦤🐊🐀🦓🦏🦒🦆🐦‍⬛🐎🦖

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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Well, it's the start of a new academic year, and what better way to kick off the term than a talk about dinosaurs... The south of England has some of the best exposures in the world. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social #dinosaurs @unisouthampton.bsky.social @uoscommsallison.bsky.social #southcoastfossils
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
youtu.be/VQir4gKCWIA?... So, we were on a podcast. Find out about our Archaeopteryx research here. One of the most exciting projects I have worked on #LifeonEarth #BirdFlight @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @uoscommsallison.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social @engineering-soton.bsky.social
youtu.be
Total Dino Podcast 08 - Hop, Hop and Away
YouTube video by Total Dino
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Delighted to share this with you all. Our new paper on the take-off of Archaeopteryx using a bipedal leaping mechanism. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social It's part of a special issue of Developmental Biology on Avian Evolution and Biology.
sciencedirect.com
Hop, hop and away: On the take-off of Archaeopteryx using a multiple leaping mechanism
Archaeopteryx, the iconic 150-million-year-old basal bird, lies at the heart of the debate on the origin of avian flight. While its asymmetric wing fe…
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Biological Sciences @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Our researchers have revealed how the first ever bird to inhabit the Earth could have taken flight. Archaeopteryx left the ground by making two or three powerful leaps with its legs, before flapping into the air. Find out more: www.southampton.ac.uk/biosci/news/... @neilgostling.bsky.social
A model of the earliest bird, Archaeopteryx. Credit: Karen Fawcett
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Really pleased to share this with you. Taking part in @theconversation.com Curious Kids was a real delight. Listen here to find out about what dinosaurs looked like theconversation.com/how-do-we-kn... @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social @uosmedia.bsky.social
theconversation.com
How do we know what dinosaurs looked like?
Listen to palaeobiologist Neil Gostling on The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast talk about how scientists work out what dinosaurs looked like.
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Darren Naish @tetzoo.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The paper - Theropod dinosaur diversity of the lower English Wealden: analysis of a tooth-based fauna from the Wadhurst Clay Formation (Lower Cretaceous: Valanginian) via phylogenetic, discriminant and machine learning methods - is #OpenAccess and here.... onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Theropod dinosaur diversity of the lower English Wealden: analysis of a tooth‐based fauna from the Wadhurst Clay Formation (Lower Cretaceous: Valanginian) via phylogenetic, discriminant and machine learning methods
The Lower Cretaceous Wealden Supergroup of southern England yields a diverse assemblage of theropod dinosaurs, its taxa being represented by fragments in addition to some of the most informative asso...
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
This is great news! Congratulations to @christijanibarker.bsky.social , @tetzoo.bsky.social and everyone involved. Really pleased about this.
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
1 of 2. Last night @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social students set mammal traps with @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social Nettlecombe Court staff who are licensed and trained to do this. We used Longworth traps with lots of straw and plenty of food... Mice and a vole. We opened traps in a bag, weighed and released
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Day 2 of @unisouthampton.bsky.social @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social trip, we have been to Embercoombe Exmoor for a freshwater exercises. We explored the riffles and pools along streams, survived a stampede of ponies was exciting, and found invertebrate nymphs and larvae
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
A great first day @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social Nettlecombe. We went to Helwell Bay and did a beach transect. The @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social students enjoyed the weather and doing some science. The rock formation showed Triassic red mudstones and grey Jurassic rocks.
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
And we're off! @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social field trip to @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social Nettlecombe Court. Rocky shore, grassland and fresh water studies await! @unisouthampton.bsky.social #fieldwork #ecology (There are more students on the second coach they just hid from the camera).
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Darren Naish @tetzoo.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Our new giant ZJLS paper on the Wealden croc Koumpiodontosuchus is out, and thus.... tetzoo.com/blog/2026/4/... A great study led by @christijanibarker.bsky.social and @neilgostling.bsky.social
tetzoo.com
Koumpi the Wealden Croc: Tons of New Data and Phylogeny Resolved — Tetrapod Zoology
A very long article on a very small croc…
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Our new paper published in @zoojlinnsoc.bsky.social on the osteology and neuroanatomy of the crocodyliform Koumiodontosuchus. Great study led by @christijanibarker.bsky.social with @tetzoo.bsky.social et al academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/a... @linneansociety.bsky.social @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Our giant paper on a small crocodyliform is out! We have a comprehensive atlas of the osteology and neuroanatomy of Koumpiodontosuchus. Amazing work from @christijanibarker.bsky.social @tetzoo.bsky.social Mark Young Katy Rankin, et al @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/a...
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Biological Sciences @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Join us 4 #SOTSEF👇😀! with Masters students & Secret Life of Organoids, Inner working of Cells, Health Innovations 🏃‍♂️ @clarkinbonebiol.bsky.social @fnobrega.bsky.social 🦠 @nelani.bsky.social Microbes, Mood & Murals 🎨 @jt8teeling.bsky.social & Sci of Jurassic Park 🦖! @neilgostling.bsky.social #BSW26
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Paul Davis @pauldavisfossil.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
The Geology Collection at Lyme Regis Museum has been awarded the prestigious Designated Status by @artscouncilengland.bsky.social Only the 5th geological collection (south of Birmingham) in England and Wales to achieve this recognition. See the press release www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/designation/
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Opening TODAY! Come to Dorking and to find out about Spinosaurs, weird piscivorous dinosaurs that roamed the Cretaceous of southern England. Work from the lab and Karen Fawcett can be seen in this exciting exhibition. @unisouthampton.bsky.social @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @uosmedia.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Had a lovely time last night talking about Spinosaurids at the Mole Valley Geological Society www.mvgs.org.uk I am really excited that 'Hidden in Stone' opens at the Dorking Museum on Thursday 22nd Jan. Come and find out about Dorking's Dinosaur Discovery from next week.
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
On my way to PalAss 2025 in Portsmouth. 20 years since my first annual meeting. Talking about Spinosaurs tomorrow morning, dinner on HMS Warrior this evening. Lots of talks about fossils.
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Chris Tijani Barker @christijanibarker.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Did spinosaurids really survive into the latest Cretaceous? The postprint for our latest work on these incredible dinosaurs is out today, where @neilgostling.bsky.social, @tetzoo.bsky.social and I examine claims of spino persistance beyond the Cenomanian www.ameghiniana.org.ar/index.php/am...
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
@lescarr.bsky.social thought you might like this vm.tiktok.com/ZNRJFq2XB/
vm.tiktok.com
TikTok - Make Your Day
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Happy Origin of Species Day! 166 years since publication and a year since I made this video. Darwin's On the Origin of Species revolutionised how we see ourselves in Nature. vm.tiktok.com/ZNRJFgK1E/ @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @uoscommsallison.bsky.social @linneansociety.bsky.social #Evolution
vm.tiktok.com
TikTok - Make Your Day
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
The annual VertZoo trip to @morethanadodo.bsky.social for a comparative anatomy study practical is always fun, but this year @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social is joined by @unisouthampton_wsa! The museum refurb looks amazing, modern but completely in keeping @unisouthampton.bsky.social #ArtAndScience
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Really chuffed to be featured. Lovely work led by @gruiformabi.bsky.social. @unisouthampton.bsky.social @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
The Dodo went extinct more that 350 years ago, and yet it still has a very large presence... Here is a lovely piece from BBC Future about our work and 'it'. with Karen Fawcett and Julian Hume www.bbc.com/future/artic... @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @uosmedia.bsky.social
bbc.com
'It's just a weird, weird bird': Why we got the dodo so absurdly wrong
The extinct flightless pigeon has captured imaginations for over 400 years. Experts and artists are now revealing how much we have distorted what the dodo was really like.
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
And so, the GostlingEvoPalaeoLab and volunteers from the Dinosaur on Your Window Sill head off to a school fête to talk dinosaur and bird evolution. #palaeoSaturday
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Great day in the Palaeo lab at Dinosaur Isle with @christijanibarker.bsky.social and @jamesmacdonell.bsky.social looking at Isle of Wight dinosaurs. Keep an eye out for some exciting developments... @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Incredibly proud and grateful for the amazing efforts of the Southampton team at the #LymeRegisFossilFestival. We spoke to 1000s of people, and several local schools. The students were brilliant. Thank you all for hard work. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @sotonoceanearth.bsky.social
Southampton Palaeontology people by their display at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
A super talk by asst producer Jay Balamurugun from #WalkingWithDinosaurs2025. A wonderful insight into how the series was put together. Lots of people were inspired in 1999, I am sure lots of new palaeos will result from the new series. #LymeRegisFossilFestival
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Fantastic talk about Mary Anning and her discoveries from @tomsharperocks.bsky.social at #LymeRegisFossilFestival Anning was a fascinating person.
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Day 2 of #LymeRegisFossilFestival and I am chairing talks! The first is 'How to build a dinosaur' from the amazing team at Everything Dinosaur introducing the 'Evolutions' project... New dinosaur models... @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @uosmedia.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
Great day at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival. Lovely to see my former lecturers, from Reading, Amanda Callaghan and Graham Holloway. The star of the show was undoubtedly Karen Fawcett 's wonderful Ceratosuchops reproduction. A smashing, friendly, exciting day talking science. Last day tomorrow.
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
We're at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival with MRes and PhD students from @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social and @sotonoceanearth.bsky.social. It's schools day today, but the festival is a weekend of palaeobiological delight. Come along and say hello. @unisouthampton.bsky.social @uosmedia.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Really pleased to be on my way to @linneansociety.bsky.social for #PintOfScience. Polly is excited too. Dodos are cool @unisouthampton.bsky.social @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social
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University of Southampton News @uosmedia.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Fantastic article by Dr Neil Gostling on how Sir David Attenborough has reshaped how we see the natural world throughout his illustrious career. Follow him at: @neilgostling.bsky.social theconversation.com/from-zoo-que...
theconversation.com
From Zoo Quest to Ocean: The evolution of David Attenborough’s voice for the planet
Attenborough’s filmography has shaped how we perceive the natural world.
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
From Zoo Quest to Ocean: The evolution of David Attenborough’s voice for the planet theconversation.com/from-zoo-que... The piece I wrote with Sam Illingworth. I hope that you enjoy it.
theconversation.com
From Zoo Quest to Ocean: The evolution of David Attenborough’s voice for the planet
Attenborough’s filmography has shaped how we perceive the natural world.
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
What are people saying about Hidden in Stone at God's House Tower, Southampton? If you haven't been yet there's still a few days of the Easter Holiday, and we're here until June 1st. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
There's still time to get to Hidden in Stone for my talk on 'Dinosaurs of the South'. The talk starts at 6.30 at God's House Tower. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social
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Chris Tijani Barker @christijanibarker.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Our open access article on early spinosaur brains and senses, coauthored by myself, @neilgostling.bsky.social, @tetzoo.bsky.social, @witmerlab.bsky.social and others, is apparently a #TopViewedArticle in the Journal of Anatomy. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Modified skulls but conservative brains? The palaeoneurology and endocranial anatomy of baryonychine dinosaurs (Theropoda: Spinosauridae)
Spinosaurids were unusual large-bodied tetanuran theropods with semi-aquatic ecologies. The neuroanatomy of baryonychine spinosaurids has yet to be studied, and may inform about the early evolution o....
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The Linnean Society of London @linneansociety.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
🧪 Science... 🦤 Dodos.... 🎶 Ukuleles! We're back at Pint of Science again on Tues 20 May, 6 - 8pm: @neilgostling.bsky.social reveals the dodo’s wild side, then @helenarney.bsky.social hits you with sharp wit & science songs. Expect surprises, LOLs & maybe singalongs. 🍻 Book here: bit.ly/3G3hGIH
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
@willattard.bsky.social is giving a wonderful flint knapping demonstration at Hidden In Stone, at God's House Tower, this morning. How our recent ancestors made tools and interacted with the environment is fascinating. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
@willattard.bsky.social is giving a wonderful flint knapping demonstration at Hidden In Stone, at God's House Tower, this morning. How our recent ancestors made tools and interacted with the environment is fascinating. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Hidden in Stone at God's House Tower features work from Archaeology and @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social of @unisouthampton.bsky.social. Here are some pieces inspired by the research in my lab, by @christijanibarker.bsky.social during his PhD... The Spinosaur Ceratosuchops... Work by Karen Fawcett
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Highlights from the last week at Hidden in Stone at God's House Tower. Come and find out about the last 200 million years in the south. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social Photos by Luke Shears
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Hidden in Stone has been open for a week now. Today is our first workshop as @willattard.bsky.social demonstrates flint knapping! Join us at God's House Tower. Here are some of the highlights from the last week... @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
@sotonbiosciences.bsky.social MRes Evolution are looking at the @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social to understanding how our view of prehistoric life has changed... WaterhouseHawkins' models were amazing introductions of dinosaurs to the world of the 1850s. @uosmedia.bsky.social @drmicrowill.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
A wonderful day for the @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social MRes Evolution trip to Darwin's home, Down House. Learning about the social and personal implications of evolution. We're off to see the @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social & understand the evolution of understanding dinosaurs @unisouthampton.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
We have a rich fossil heritage on the south coast, marine reptiles, dinosaurs, the first humans on these islands... And everything in between. Come and find out about it at our new exhibition, running from April 4th to June 1st. godshousetower.org.uk/eventer/exhi... @unisouthampton.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Some of the women in the School of Biological Sciences Southampton, on UNESCO International Day of Women and Girls in Science, 2025. Undergraduates in Cell Biology and Physiology Biochemistry PhD students and Academics. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social @uosmedia.bsky.social
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Neil Gostling/EvoPalaeoLab @neilgostling.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
Attenborough and the Giant Sea monster is repeated at 8pm BBC2 tonight. @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @unisouthampton.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC One - Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster
Sir David Attenborough investigates a unique discovery: the skull of a giant sea monster.
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