#37 Expert Palaeontologist: Direwolf De-Extinction, Dinosaur Myths, Brains and Sex! Dr David Hone

Jun 12, 2025

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Dr. David Hone is a paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and author of How Fast Did T. rex Run?, a myth-busting investigation into the surprising behavior, intelligence, and complexity of dinosaurs.

Forget the lumbering monsters of Jurassic Park — dinosaurs were social, strategic, and sometimes even spectacularly weird. From display structures and pack hunting to nesting behaviour and brain evolution, Dr. Hone’s work reveals the dynamic lives these creatures once lived.

Expect to learn why T. rex might not have been the top predator we imagine, how dinosaurs used feathers and horns to flirt rather than fight, whether some species cared for their young, what fossils can really tell us about intelligence, what Netflix’s Life on Our Planet got wrong and why de-extinction efforts like those by Colossal Biosciences may be based on misleading science — plus much more.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:23 The Journey into Paleontology

03:39 A Day in the Life of a Reader in Zoology

05:20 Motivations Behind Writing on Dinosaur Behavior

06:06 Understanding Dinosaur Behavior: Methods and Evidence

10:05 The Public Perception vs. Scientific Reality

11:27 Group Behaviour in Dinosaurs: Myths and Facts

12:38 Reliability of Current Knowledge on Dinosaur Behavior

20:13 Learning from Modern Animals

26:37 Lifespan and Mortality of Dinosaurs

36:08 Common Misconceptions About Dinosaurs

38:32 The Evolution of Dinosaur Representation in Media

41:16 Groundbreaking Discoveries in Paleontology

45:15 The Role of AI in Paleontological Research

58:43 The Quest for Dinosaur DNA and Soft Tissue

01:08:04 Taxonomy and the Ethics of De-Extinction

01:13:36 Defining Species and Genetic Manipulation

01:16:12 The Ethics of De-extinction

01:18:58 The Tasmanian Tiger: A Case for De-extinction?

01:21:06 The Role of Venture Capital in Genetic Projects

01:23:43 Media Representation of Scientific Advances

01:25:30 Dinosaur Recreation in Media: Accuracy vs. Entertainment 01:37:37 Understanding Animal Behaviour and Rituals

01:45:07 The Future of Paleontology and Technological Advances 01:53:07 The Value of Paleontology in Society and Science

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📚 RECOMMENDED READING

Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior: What They Did and How We Know: https://amzn.to/4kU3a5G

The Tyrannosaur Chronicles: The Biology of the Tyrant Dinosaurs: https://amzn.to/4k0Ph4y

How Fast Did T. rex Run?: Unsolved Questions from the Frontiers of Dinosaur Science: https://amzn.to/3T0guJu

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