Dinosaurs ruled the Earth during the Mesozoic Era, from about 230 million to 65 million years ago.
It was coined by Sir Richard Owen in 1842 to describe these large prehistoric reptiles.
Modern birds evolved from a group of two-legged dinosaurs known as theropods.
Argentinosaurus, one of the biggest known dinosaurs, may have reached lengths of 100 feet or more.
Fossil evidence of dinosaurs has been found on all seven continents, including Antarctica.
Some dinosaurs, like the Compsognathus, were no bigger than a chicken.
Fossilized nests and eggs have been found, showing many dinosaurs reproduced by laying eggs.
Despite its large body, Stegosaurus had an extremely small brain.
Tyrannosaurus rex had a bite force estimated at over 12,000 pounds.
Fossils of feathered dinosaurs have been found, especially in China, suggesting a link to birds.
Saurischia (lizard-hipped) and Ornithischia (bird-hipped) are the two major classifications.
Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to be scientifically described.
The real Velociraptor was about the size of a turkey and covered in feathers.
Evidence suggests many species, like Hadrosaurs, moved and lived in groups.
These trace fossils give scientists insights into dinosaur movement and behavior.
This trait is also found in birds, helping reduce body weight for agility.
Its distinctive headgear likely served for defense and mating displays.
These teeth helped rip through meat, like modern-day steak knives.
Species like Brachiosaurus had peg-like teeth for eating plants.
With a long snout and paddle-like tail, Spinosaurus likely hunted in water.
These rocks form from particles settling in water, ideal for fossil preservation.
It was one of the most heavily armored dinosaurs to ever live.
Ornithomimids and hadrosaurs used beaks to snip vegetation.
About 66 million years ago, an asteroid impact likely caused global devastation.
Bone structure in some fossils suggests night vision adaptations.
Some like Gallimimus were fast runners, while others moved slowly.
They slowly absorb minerals, turning to stone over time.
Rare fossils have shown the texture of dinosaur skin.
Despite their size, each arm could lift over 400 pounds.
Parasaurolophus used its long head crest for visual and acoustic signaling.
Some grazed low plants, while others fed on tall trees or hunted prey.
Coprolites provide clues about dinosaur diets and ecosystems.
Flying reptiles like Pteranodon were close relatives but not true dinosaurs.
They were marine reptiles that lived during the same period.
Many used their tails for balance, defense, or swimming.
New dinosaur species are discovered almost every year around the world.
Scientists continue to debate their metabolic systems, with evidence suggesting some had warm-blooded traits.
Nesting sites and bonebeds indicate care for young and group living.
Species like Brachiosaurus had necks reaching over 40 feet high.
Rare fossils preserve what the dinosaur ate before it died.
Fossilized trackways show paths walked by herds millions of years ago.
Earlier theropods like Allosaurus predated T. rex by millions of years.
Like elephants today, their presence influenced vegetation and other species.
Diplodocus may have used its tail to create loud cracking sounds.
They evolved from archosaurs and diversified into hundreds of species.
Ancient civilizations often misinterpreted large bones as dragon remains.
Early discoveries in the 19th century sparked global interest in paleontology.
Triceratops skulls may have inspired legends of griffins.
Initially thought to steal eggs, later fossils showed they were nesting parents.
Evidence suggests species like Spinosaurus were semi-aquatic hunters.
Digging up fossils requires precision to avoid damaging delicate remains.
Some of the richest discoveries occur in deserts and mountains.
Construction projects and mining operations have accidentally unearthed fossils.
Technology helps researchers look inside fossils without damaging them.
Small feathered dinosaurs had wing-like arms suited for short flights.
Some fossils reveal injuries, infections, or deformities in dinosaur bones.
These stomach stones helped grind food in plant-eating species.
Like modern frogs, they may have produced sound by inflating their head structures.
Dinosaur species have been named in honor of scientists, celebrities, and even political figures.
These impressions show details like scales and patterns, aiding visual reconstructions.
They lived through volcanic eruptions, shifting continents, and sea-level changes.
Soft tissue remnants have been discovered, providing insights into biology and evolution.
Now a desert, it once teemed with massive prehistoric creatures.
Scientific names often reflect features or locations, like “Triceratops” meaning “three-horned face.”
New technologies and findings continually reshape our understanding of their lives.
From birds to fossils, dinosaurs continue to captivate science and imagination across generations.