Utah's Ancient Creatures: 'Terrific, Terrible Lizards' at USU's Science Unwrapped Friday, Feb. 21

Utah State University paleontologist Josh Lively says “Utah Mammoth” is the ideal name for Utah’s new National Hockey League team.

“Remains of the Huntington Mammoth — a Columbian mammoth bigger and stronger than a woolly mammoth — were discovered in Utah’s Huntington Canyon in 1988,” Lively said in a recent TV interview. “It’s uniquely Utah.”

Lively, curator of paleontologist at USU Eastern’s Prehistoric Museum, will present “Terrific, Terrible Lizards: The Age of Dinosaurs and Beyond in Eastern Utah” at USU’s Science Unwrapped public outreach program Friday, Feb. 21. His talk, which includes a description of the Huntington Mammoth discovery, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Lively’s talk is the second presentation in Science Unwrapped’s spring 2025 series, ”Celebrate Undergrad Research,” which is presented in conjunction with Utah State’s 2025 Year of Undergraduate Research.

“We’re so excited to have Dr. Lively join us as we highlight undergraduate research,” says Brynja Kohler, Science Unwrapped chair, associate dean in the College of Science and professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “He’ll tell us about exciting discoveries, involving students who are just getting started in research, right here in Utah.”

If you love dinosaurs and other ancient creatures, Lively says, Utah is the place to be.

“Utah’s rocks preserve a phenomenal record of prehistoric life, especially from the Age of Dinosaurs,” he says. “We’ll explore how our understanding of these organisms has evolved over the last few decades and discuss some recent discoveries by the Prehistoric Museum, including ongoing undergraduate research projects. I’ll also share opportunities for students and the public to get involved with paleontology at Utah State.”

Hands-on learning activities led by USU student groups and community volunteers, along with refreshments, will follow Lively’s presentation. In addition, this spring’s series will feature research posters by USU undergraduates.

Lively’s talk will be video-recorded and posted on the Science Unwrapped website within a week of the in-person event.

Remaining events of the Celebrate Undergrad Research series spring schedule include:

• Friday, Feb. 21 — “Terrific, Terrible Lizards: The Age of Dinosaurs and Beyond in Eastern Utah,” USU paleontologist Josh Lively
• Friday, March 21 — “Blinded by scEYEnce,” USU biological engineers Elizabeth Vargis and Sophia Hessami
• Friday, April 11 — “Untangling Knot Theory,” USU mathematicians Matt Young and Seth Porter

Directions and parking information are available on the program’s website.

For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the ‘Science Unwrapped at USU’ Facebook page.