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What is dinosaur?

Know everything about Dinosaur

By King of EarthPublished about a year ago 4 min read
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I. Introduction
A. Definition of dinosaurs: Dinosaurs are a group of extinct reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era, which lasted from about 252 to 66 million years ago. They were characterized by their bipedal or quadrupedal posture, and the presence of a skull with a single occipital condyle, a feature that distinguishes them from other reptiles.

B. Time period in which dinosaurs lived: Dinosaurs lived during the Mesozoic Era, which is divided into three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. The Triassic period began 252 million years ago and lasted for about 50 million years. The Jurassic period began 201 million years ago and lasted for about 55 million years. The Cretaceous period began 145 million years ago and lasted for about 80 million years.

C. Classification of dinosaurs: Dinosaurs are divided into two main groups: Saurischia and Ornithischia. The Saurischia group includes the carnivorous theropods, such as the T-Rex, and the herbivorous sauropods, such as the Brontosaurus. The Ornithischia group includes the armored dinosaurs, such as the Stegosaurus, and the horned dinosaurs, such as the Triceratops.

II. Physical Characteristics
A. Size and shape: Dinosaurs ranged in size from small, bird-like dinosaurs that were about the size of a turkey, to large, long-necked dinosaurs that were as tall as a four-story building and as long as a city bus. Their shapes also varied greatly, from the quadrupedal, tank-like ankylosaurs to the bipedal, agile raptors.

B. Skeletal structure: Dinosaurs had a variety of skeletal structures, depending on their size and lifestyle. Some had long, slender limbs for running and hunting, while others had short, stocky limbs for supporting their heavy bodies. Many had bony plates or spikes for protection, and some had large, sharp teeth for hunting.

C. Skin and feather variations: The skin of dinosaurs varied greatly depending on the species. Some had scaly skin, while others had feathers. Feathers were primarily found in theropod dinosaurs, like velociraptors and T-Rexes, which are believed to have been covered in feathers.

D. Locomotion: Dinosaurs moved in a variety of ways depending on their size and shape. Some walked on two legs, while others walked on four legs. Some were fast runners, while others were slow walkers. Some were able to swim, while others were land-bound.

III. Dinosaur Behavior
A. Social behavior: Some dinosaurs were solitary animals, while others lived in groups. Some dinosaurs were social, living in herds or packs, while others were territorial and aggressive.

B. Feeding and hunting: Dinosaurs had a variety of feeding and hunting strategies. Some were herbivores, eating plants, while others were carnivores, eating other animals. Some had sharp teeth and claws for hunting, while others had beaks and jaws for grinding up plants.

C. Reproduction: Dinosaurs probably had a variety of reproductive strategies. Some were oviparous, laying eggs, while others were viviparous, giving birth to live young. Some dinosaurs had a single mate, while others were polygynous.

IV. Different Types of Dinosaurs
A. Triassic dinosaurs: Triassic dinosaurs were the first dinosaurs that appeared on earth. They were small and relatively insignificant in comparison to the dinosaurs of the later periods. Famous Triassic dinosaurs include Coelophysis and Plateosaurus.A. Triassic Dinosaurs:
During the Triassic period (252-201 million years ago), the first dinosaurs appeared on Earth. These early dinosaurs were small, bipedal creatures that were not yet the dominant species on the planet. Some notable Triassic dinosaurs include Coelophysis, Plateosaurus, and Eoraptor.

B. Jurassic Dinosaurs:
During the Jurassic period (201-145 million years ago), dinosaurs became the dominant land animals and diversified into a variety of forms. Some notable Jurassic dinosaurs include Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Brachiosaurus. The famous T-Rex lived in the Cretaceous period

C. Cretaceous Dinosaurs:
During the Cretaceous period (145-66 million years ago), dinosaurs continued to diversify and thrive. Some notable Cretaceous dinosaurs include Velociraptor, Triceratops, and the famous T-Rex.

D. Famous Dinosaurs:

T-Rex: Also known as the Tyrant Lizard King, T-Rex was one of the largest and most fearsome predators of the Cretaceous period. It had large, powerful jaws and short, but strong arms.
Velociraptor: This small, bipedal dinosaur was a skilled hunter that had a large, sickle-shaped claw on its foot that it used to kill its prey.
Triceratops: This large herbivore had a distinctive head with three horns and a bony frill.
V. Extinction of Dinosaurs:
A. Theories about extinction:

The most widely accepted theory is that a large asteroid or comet struck the Earth, causing a massive extinction event. This theory is supported by the discovery of a large impact crater (the Chicxulub crater) in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
Volcanic activity and climate change are also believed to have contributed to the dinosaurs' extinction.
B. Evidence for extinction:

The presence of iridium in rock layers from the time of the extinction event is evidence of an asteroid impact. Iridium is rare on Earth but common in asteroids.
The discovery of the Chicxulub crater provides further evidence of an asteroid impact.
Fossil evidence also shows that many species of dinosaurs disappeared suddenly at the end of the Cretaceous period.

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King of Earth

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