Dinos

Dinos animals Louvre Cp11243

== Dinos ==

Dinos are a diverse group of reptiles of the clade Dinosauria. They first appeared during the Triassic period, between 243 and 233.23 million years ago, although the exact origin and timing of the evolution of dinosaurs is the subject of active research. They became the dominant terrestrial vertebrates after the Triassic–Jurassic extinction event 201 million years ago; their dominance continued through the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The fossil record shows that birds are feathered dinosaurs, having evolved from earlier theropods during the Late Jurassic period. As such, birds were the only dinosaur lineage known to have survived the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event approximately 66 million years ago. Dinosaurs can therefore be divided into avian dinosaurs (birds) and the extinct non-avian dinosaurs, which are all dinosaurs other than birds.

Classification

Dinosaurs are classified into two main groups based on their hip structure: Saurischia and Ornithischia.

• Saurischia includes theropods (mostly carnivorous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor) and sauropodomorphs (long-necked herbivores like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus).
• Ornithischia includes a variety of herbivorous dinosaurs such as Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and Ankylosaurus.

Evolution and Extinction

Dinosaurs evolved from earlier archosaurs and diversified into a wide range of forms and sizes. The Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of all non-avian dinosaurs. However, avian dinosaurs (birds) survived and continue to thrive today.

Paleontology

The study of dinosaurs is a branch of paleontology. Fossils of dinosaurs have been found on every continent, providing significant insights into their evolution, biology, and ecology. Notable fossil sites include the Morrison Formation in North America and the Solnhofen limestone in Germany.

Cultural Impact

Dinosaurs have had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring numerous books, films, and television series. The most famous of these is the Jurassic Park franchise, which has brought the fascination with dinosaurs to a global audience.

Notable Dinosaurs

• Tyrannosaurus rex
• Triceratops
• Stegosaurus
• Velociraptor
• Brachiosaurus

See Also

• List of dinosaur genera
• Timeline of dinosaur research
• Dinosaur size
• Dinosaur behavior