List of non-dinosaur fossil specimens with nicknames

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This list of nicknamed non-dinosaur fossils is a list of non-dinosaurian fossil specimens given informal names or nicknames, in addition to their institutional catalogue numbers. It excludes informal appellations that are purely descriptive (e.g., "the Fighting Dinosaurs", "the Trachodon Mummy").

For a list of dinosaur fossil specimens, see List of dinosaur specimens with nicknames.

Synapsids

Mammals

Atlantogenata

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Images
Archie University of Nebraska State Museum Columbian Mammoth

(Mammuthus columbi)

Pleistocene Archi the Mammoth
Benny[1] Trailside Museum of Natural History[2][3] Columbian Mammoth

(Mammuthus columbi)

Pleistocene Specimen died in an intraspecific fight with another of the same species, "George". Named after land surveyors Ben Ferguson and George McMillan
Dima Woolly Mammoth

(Mammuthus primigenius)

Middle Pleistocene – Late Holocene
Fred[4] Science Central American Mastodon Late Miocene – early Holocene
George[1] Trailside Museum of Natural History[2][3] Columbian Mammoth

(Mammuthus columbi)

Pleistocene Specimen died in an intraspecific fight with another of the same species, "Benny". Named after land surveyors Ben Ferguson and George McMillan
Linda [5] City Museum of Bad Vöslau Metaxytherium medium Badenian
Little Stevie[6] Western Science Center
Lyuba Woolly Mammoth

(Mammuthus primigenius)

Middle Pleistocene – Late Holocene
Mascha Woolly Mammoth

(Mammuthus primigenius)

Middle Pleistocene – Late Holocene
Max[7] Western Science Center Pacific Mastodon (Mammut pacificus) Late Miocene – early Holocene
Megajeff Megalonyx Pliocene-Late Pleistocene
Mylo[8] Western Science Center Harlan's Ground Sloth (Paramylodon harlani) PlioceneLate Pleistocene
Sasha Woolly Mammoth

(Mammuthus primigenius)

Middle Pleistocene – Late Holocene
Xena[9] Western Science Center Columbian Mammoth

(Mammuthus columbi)

Pleistocene
Yuka Woolly Mammoth

(Mammuthus primigenius)

Middle Pleistocene – Late Holocene
Zed Columbian Mammoth

(Mammuthus columbi)

Pleistocene
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Carnivorans

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Image
Boris[10] Cave Lion (Panthera spelaea) 44 Ka Two to Three-weeks old cub, died due to the collapse of a cave. (b) male Boris
Dogor Currently unknown whether it represents a wolf or domestic dog
Sparta[10] Cave Lion (Panthera spelaea) 26 Ka Female cub, died of starvation. (a, e, f) female Sparta
Tumat[11] Centre for Palaeogenetics yet to be determined 14 Ka Found in Russia nearly 10 years ago, it is a puppy that also contained a piece of Woolly Rhino skin in its belly.
Waldo[12] OCPC 11141 Orange County Paleontology Collection Titanotaria orangensis Late Miocene (6.6-5.8 Mya) Capistrano Formation one of the last and best known tuskless walrus Waldo in dorsal view
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Primates

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Image
Alesi[13] KNM-NP 59050 National Museums of Kenya[14] Nyanzapithecus alesi 13 Mya Lake Turkana An infantile cranium.
Ardi[15] ARA-VP-6/500 National Museums of Kenya Ardipithecus ramidus 4.4 Mya Aramis A partial skeleton, possibly a female.
The Black Skull[16] KNM-WT 17000 National Museums of Kenya[2] Paranthropus aethiopicus 2.5 Mya Nachukui Formation A cranium.
Dear Boy,[17] Zinj[18] OH 5 Paranthropus boisei 1.8 Mya Olduvai Gorge A cranium and mandible.
Flo, Little Lady of Flores,[19] Hobbit LB-1 Homo floresiensis 50 Ka Liang Bua A partial skeleton, including a cranium and mandible.
Ida[20] PMO 214.214 (Slab A) American Museum of Natural History Darwinius masillae 47 Mya Messel Pit Two slabs, A and B, comprising a nearly complete individual with part and counterpart.
Devil's Tower Child,[21] Abel Gibraltar 2 Homo neanderthalensis 42 Ka Devil's Tower Five cranial fragments belonging to a young boy.
Laia[22] IPS58443 Pliobates cataloniae 11.6 Mya Partial skeleton.
Lucy, Dinkinesh,[23] Heelomali AL 288-1 Australopithecus afarensis 3.2 Mya Hadar A partial skeleton including cranial fragments.
Mrs. Ples[24] Sts 5 Ditsong National Museum of Natural History Australopithecus africanus 2.1-2.6 Mya [25] Sterkfontein A cranium.
Red Lady of Paviland[26] None Various[citation needed] Homo sapiens 33 Ka Paviland Cave A partial skeleton of a man.
Taung Child,[27] Taung Baby Taung 1 Wits University[28] Australopithecus 2.8 Mya Taung A partial cranium and mandible.
Turkana Boy, Nariokotome Boy[29] KNM-WT 15000 National Museums of Kenya[2] Homo erectus 1.5 Mya Nachukui Formation One of the most complete hominin skeletons.
Nandy[30] Shanidar 1 Homo neanderthalensis 45-35 Ka Shanidar Cave A set of skeletal remains including a skull.
The Old Man[31] La Chapelle-aux-Saints 1 Homo neanderthalensis 60 Ka La Chapelle-aux-Saints A skeleton.
Egbert[32] Ksar Akil 1 National Museum of Beirut Homo sapiens 40-38 Ka [33] Ksar Akil A juvenile skeleton.
Ethelruda[33] Ksar Akil 2 National Museum of Beirut Homo sapiens 42-41 Ka Ksar Akil A maxilla.
The Young Prince[34] Arene Candide 1 Various[citation needed] Homo sapiens 23 Ka Arene Candide A skeleton of a teenager.
Jonny's Child[35] OH 7 Homo habilis 1.75 Mya Olduvai Gorge A mandible, the holotype.
Pinhead[36] OH 12 Homo erectus Olduvai Gorge A partial cranium.
Cinderella (Cindy)[37] OH 13 Homo habilis Olduvai Gorge A partial cranium and mandible.
Olduvai George (George)[38] OH 16 Homo habilis 1.7 Mya Olduvai Gorge A partial neurocranium.
Twiggy[39] OH 24 Homo habilis 1.8 Mya Olduvai Gorge A cranium.
Selam, Dikika infant/baby/child, Lucy's Baby[40] DIK-1/1 National Museum, Addis Ababa Australopithecus afarensis 3.3 Mya Dikika An infantile skeleton including cranium and mandible.
Samuel/Samu[41] Vsz II Hungarian National Museum Homo heidelbergensis? 325-340 Ka Vertesszolos A fragmentary cranium
Mystery Skull[2] KNM-ER 1805 National Museums of Kenya Homo habilis[42] 1.74 Mya Kariri Ridge A cranium.
The First Family[43] AL 333 Australopithecus afarensis 3.2 Mya Hadar Various skeletal elements.
Moshe[44] KMH2 Homo neanderthalensis 60 Ka Kebara Cave A skeleton including cranium.
Agamenón[45] SH 4 Homo neanderthalensis 430 Ka Sima de los Huesos A cranium.
Miguelón[46] SH 5 Homo neanderthalensis 430 Ka Sima de los Huesos A cranium and mandible.
Benjamina[47] SH 14 Homo neanderthalensis 430 Ka Sima de los Huesos An infantile cranium.
Little Foot[48] StW 573 Australopithecus africanus 3.67 Mya Sterkfontein A skeleton.
Elvis[49] Pelvis 1 Homo neanderthalensis Sima de los Huesos A pelvis.
Eurydice[50] DNH-7 Paranthropus robustus 2.04-1.95 Mya Drimolen A cranium and mandible.
Orpheus[51] DNH-8 Paranthropus robustus Drimolen A mandible.
Khethi[52] DNH 152 Paranthropus robustus 2.04–1.95 Mya Drimolen
Simon[53] DNH 134 Homo erectus 2 Mya Drimolen A neurocranium.
Abel[54] KT12/H1 Australopithecus bahrelghazali 3.5 Mya Koro Toro A mandible.
Toumaï[55] TM 266-01-060-1 Sahelanthropus tchadensis 7-6 Mya Djurab Desert A cranium and limb bone
Kadanuumuu, Big Man[56] KSD-VP-1/1 Australopithecus afarensis 3.58 Mya
Karabo[57] MH1 Wits University Australopithecus sediba 1.8 Mya Malapa Cave A partial skeleton.
Issa[58] MH2 Wits University Australopithecus sediba 1.8 Mya Malapa Cave A partial skeleton.
X-woman[59] Denisova 3 Denisovan 76.2–51.6 Ka Denisova Cave A finger bone.
Denny[59] Denisova 11 Denisovan x Neanderthal 118.1–79.3 Ka Denisova Cave Limb fragments.
Neo[60] NES1 Homo naledi 300 Ka Lesedi Chamber A cranium and mandible. Skull of Neo
Mal'ta Boy[61] MA-1 Homo sapiens 24 Ka Mal'ta Skeleton.
Mtoto[62] Panga ya Saidi Homo sapiens 78 Ka Panga ya Saidi Skeleton, a burial.
Vera[63] Prado Vargas 1360 Homo neanderthalensis 54.7-39.8 Ka Prado Vargas
Pàus[64] St.n.166623 Homo neanderthalensis
La Dame du Cavillon[65] Barma del Caviglione 1 Homo sapiens 24 Ka Cavillon Cave Skeleton, a burial.
Ötzi the Iceman[66] South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology Homo sapiens 3300 BCE Ötztal Alps A mummified body.
Luzia[67] Lapa Vermelha IV Hominid 1 Homo sapiens 11.5 Ka Lapa Vermelha A fragmentary skeleton.
Naia[citation needed] HN5/48 Homo sapiens 13-12 Ka Hoyo Negro A skeleton.
Kwäday Dän Ts'ìnchi[68] None Homo sapiens 550–300 years Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park A mummified body.
Anzick Boy[69] Anzick-1 Homo sapiens 13-12.85 Ka Near Wilsall A skeleton.
Leanderthal Lady[70] Homo sapiens 13-10 Ka Wilson-Leonard Brushy Creek Site A skeleton.
El Graeco[71] Graecopithecus freybergi 7.2 Mya Pyrgos Vasilissis Dental-mandibular remains.
Madam Buya[72] Buia UA 31 Homo erectus 1 Mya Afar A cranium.
Eve[73] Qazeh 9 Homo sapiens 100–90 Ka Qafzeh Cave A cranium.
Besséʼ[74] Homo sapiens 7200 years Leang Panninge cave A skeleton.
Roger[75] Boxgrove 1 Homo heidelbergensis 500 Ka Boxgrove Limb and dental fragments.
Pau[76] IPS21350 Pierolapithecus catalaunicus 12.5-13 Mya Barranc de Can Vila-1 site A skeleton.
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Ungulates

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Image
Blue Babe [77] University of Alaska Museum Steppe Bison

(Bison priscus)

Pleistocene (36 Ka) Alaska Named after the bluish color of the specimen Blue Babe frozen mummy
Sasha [78] Yakutian Academy of Sciences Coelodonta antiquitatis Pleistocene Siberia Partial mummy of a baby.
Thor [79] Megacerops Middle Eocene
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Marsupials

Pelycosaurs

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Images
Abby[80] Whiteside Museum of Natural History Dimetrodon Permian Seymour, Texas
Bonnie[80] Whiteside Museum of Natural History Dimetrodon Permian Seymour, Texas Kennesaw Bone Bed Discovered in 2016. Fairly complete skeleton.
Guillory[80] Whiteside Museum of Natural History Dimetrodon Permian Seymour, Texas Possibly scavenged by other Dimetrodon
Leidy[81] ANSP 9524 [82] Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (on loan to Royal Ontario Museum) Dimetrodon borealis Early Permian, 270 Mya (Artinskian) Orby Head Formation, Prince Edward Island Holotype specimen. Named after Joseph Leidy, the original describer of the specimen Leidy
Laslow[83] Houston Museum of Natural Science Dimetrodon loomisi Permian Laslow
Michael[80] Whiteside Museum of Natural History Dimetrodon Permian Seymour, Texas Heavily scavenged
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Reptiles

Lepidosauria

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Images
Bèr[84] NHMM 1998141 Maastricht Natural History Museum Prognathodon saturator Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) ENCI quarry Holotype specimen. Bèr the Prognathodon
Bob Tylosaurus Late Cretaceous
Bruce Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre Tylosaurus pembinensis Late Cretaceous Bruce the Tylosaurus
Brutus Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleaotology Prognathodon overtoni Late Cretaceous Korite Ammolite mine, Bearpaw Formation Named Brutus to describe the Burly nature of its anatomy.[85]
Bunker [86] KUVP 5033 University of Kansas Natural History Museum Tylosaurus rex Late Cretaceous Niobrara Formation Bunker the Tylosaurus
Cap'n Chuck [87] Shanghai Platecarpus Late Cretaceous Niobrara Excavated in 2007
Carlo [88][89][90] Maastricht Natural History Museum Prognathodon Late Cretaceous (Early Maastrichtian) Gulpen Formation, Lixhe 3 Member Found in 2012. Named after finder Carlo Brauer Carlo
Eustace NDGS 10838 North Dakota Heritage Center Jormungandr walhallaensis Late Cretaceous (Middle Campanian) Pierre Shale Formation, Pembina Member Holotype specimen named after the character Eustace Bagge from the animated show Courage the Cowardly Dog.[91] Eustace the Jormungandr
Kristine [92] NHMM 2012073 Maastricht Natural History Museum Plioplatecarpus marshi Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Maastricht Formation, Meerssen Member (ENCI quarry) Named after the finder Kristine Mariën. Kristine the Plioplatecarpus
Lars [93] Maastricht Natural History Museum Mosasaurus hoffmanni Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) ENCI quarry Found in 2014 by Lars Barten and his father, after whom the specimen was then nicknamed.
Max Tylosaurus Late Cretaceous
Mister Sinister TMP 2008.036.0001 Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleaotology Mosasaurus missouriensis Late Cretaceous (Late Campanian) Bearpaw Formation A Juvenile, named after the comic book character Mister Sinister, in reference to its grin.[94] Mister Sinister the Mosasaurus
Nolan [95] Tylosaurus Late Cretaceous Niobrara
Omācīw Tylosaurus saketchewanensis Late Cretaceous
Sophie Tylosaurus Late Cretaceous
Suzy [96] Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre Tylosaurus Late Cretaceous
Winnie [97] Plioplatecarpus Late Cretaceous
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Pseudosuchians

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Images
Big Bert SMNH P2411.1 Royal Saskatchewan Museum Terminonaris robusta Late Cretaceous (Turonian) Favel Formation Most complete specimen of the genus
Black Sun[98] THOR16_100BS Crocodylus anthropophagus Pleistocene Olduvai Gorge Named due to the fact that it was discovered during an annual solar eclipse on September 1, 2016
Edgar[99] NHMUK P9/3a Natural History Museum, London Aenigmaspina pantyffynnonensis Late Triassic (Rhaetian)
Mo Terminonaris ponteixensis Late Cretaceous
Scarface[100] LPRP 0697 Laboratório de Paleontologia de Ribeirão Preto Aphaurosuchus escharafacies Late Cretaceous (Coniacian-Campanian) Bauru Group of Vale do Rio do Peixe

Formation

A cut on the left jugal and dentary made by the rock saw during the collection of the specimen, promptly gave the fossil its nickname "Scarface."
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Pterosauria

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Images
Butch AODF 876 Australian Age of Dinosaurs Ferrodraco Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Winton Formation Holotype of Ferrodraco
Darkwing [101] Rhamphorhynchus muensteri Late Jurassic (Tithonian) Discovered in 2001
Dracula undescribed azhdarchid Cretaceous
Ian undescribed wukongopterid Jurassic
Mrs. T [102][103] ZMNH M8802 Zhejiang Museum of Natural History Darwinopterus Middle Jurassic Found with a preserved egg between the legs.
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Sauropterygia

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Images
Albert[104] Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology possibly Albertonectes Late Cretaceous Bearpaw Formation Named after Albertonectes, because it might possibly belong to that genus.
Britney Ophthalmothule Tithonian-Berriasian
Doris [105] Bristol Museum Pliosaurus carpenteri Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian, 150 Mya) Found in 1994
Harold[106] GPM 5001 [107] Paleon Museum Serpentisuchops pfisterae Late Cretaceous, (Lower Maastrichtian) Pierre Shale
Ichabod TMP 2007.011.0001 Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleaotology Albertonectes vanderveldei Late Cretaceous (Late Campanian) Bearpaw Formation Named after Ichabod Crane from the Legend of the Sleepy Hollow, in reference to the specimen's missing skull.
Sea-Rex [108] The Etches Collection Undescribed pliosaur Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian, 150 Mya) Kimmeridge clay Very complete skull
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Misc Reptiles

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Images
Bernie [109][110] Thalattosaur Triassic Oregon Discovered in 2011. Named after Gene and Marian Bernard
Brigitta[111] NHMW-GEO-1977/1902/0001 Natural History Museum, Vienna Archelon Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Pierre Shale largest known Archelon specimen and second largest individual turtle fossil after specimen CIAAP-2002-01 of Stupendemys geographica.[112]
Delilah [113] SAM-PK-K10036 Pareiasaurus serridens Permian Karoo basin, South Africa
Jim 2[114] LACM DI 157871 Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Cymbospondylus youngorum Middle Triassic (Anisian) Favret Formation holotype and the largest known member of the genus with a skull length of almost 2 meter.[115]
Leona [116] Fukui Dinosaur Museum Champsosaurus sp. CampanianPaleocene Adult specimen.
Oldie / Gamla Keilhauia nui Early Cretaceous (Berriasian)
Wilma [116] Royal Ontario Museum Champsosaurus sp. CampanianPaleocene
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Misc. Tetrapods

Fish

More information Nickname, Catalogue number ...
Nickname Catalogue number Institution Taxon Age Unit Notes Images
Carl [117] Xiphactinus Late Cretaceous Found by Cassi Knight in 2021
Dave [118] S.7502.06 Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre Lamniform shark Campanian, Late Cretaceous A fairly complete skeleton
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Arthropods

Mollusks

See also

References

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