New dinosaur species discovered in South Korea for the first time in 15 years

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After 15 years, South Korea has a newly identified dinosaur species – and it’s quite unusual!

In 2023, scientists discovered a new dinosaur species, Doolysaurus huhmini, on Aphae Island. This turkey-sized dinosaur was a quick, two-legged creature that ate both plants and meat.

Hyemin Jo, a researcher on the project, discovered the fossil and then used micro-CT scanning to study its inner details without harming it.

Most Korean dinosaur discoveries are limited to footprints and eggs, but Doolysaurus is different – it includes actual preserved skull fragments. This makes Dooly a particularly important find in Korea, offering valuable insights into the lives of small dinosaurs in Asia between 113 and 94 million years ago.

Meet Doolysaurus huhmini

Researchers believe the Doolysaurus skeleton belonged to a very young dinosaur, likely between zero and two years old. Stomach stones discovered with the fossil indicate it wasn’t a picky eater. Unlike many of its relatives who mainly ate plants, Doolysaurus probably consumed both plants and small creatures.

Researchers have determined that the Dooly was an early dinosaur belonging to the Thescelosauridae family. These dinosaurs were quick, plant-eating creatures that walked on two legs.

This discovery supports the theory that these dinosaurs first appeared in Asia and then migrated to other regions.

The adorable dinosaur is named Doolysaurus as a nod to “Dooly the Little Dinosaur,” a beloved cartoon from 1983. The addition of “huhmini” is a tribute to Min Huh, a Korean paleontologist who has made significant contributions to the study of dinosaurs.

This finding suggests there may be more fossils hidden in the area, especially on Aphae Island, which has similar, yet mostly unexamined, rock structures.

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2026-03-20 13:19