For over a century, non-avian dinosaurs have been symbols of extinction. Our awe at their success, and our puzzlement at their ultimate demise, have made them perfect foils for our worries and fears.

Paleontology writer Brian Switek, author of "Written In Stone" and the Laelaps blog, recently stumbled upon a cleverly nuanced bit of animated Soviet propaganda that touches on his field of expertise.

The '90s were filled with all kinds of now-forgotten cartoons, but this animated series was a bizarre mashup of Jurassic Park and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — and 28 years later, it's still epic.