Even dinosaurs that walked on all fours stood with their legs directly under their bodies. This upward stance allowed dinosaurs to move faster and with more endurance than other reptiles. Other prehistoric reptiles, such as the flying pterosaurs and aquatic plesiosaurs, didn’t have this feature, so they weren’t dinosaurs.
Sauropodomorpha (sawr-oh-POH-dah-more-fah), or sauropods, walked on all fours, had long necks and tails, and were the largest animals to ever walk on land. Thyreophora (thye-ree-OFF-or-ah), were armored dinosaurs that walked on 4 legs. This group includes Ankylosauria (ang-kye-luh-SAWR-ih-ah), or the tank-like, club-tailed dinosaurs, and Stegosauria (steg-oh-SAWR-ih-ah), or the well-known spike-tailed, plated dinosaurs. Ceratopsia (sair-uh-TOP-see-ah), or ceratopsians, walked on all fours and had horns, ridges, and bony frills sprouting from their heads and faces. Pachycephalosauria (pak-ee-sef-uh-lo-SAWR-ee-uh), or pachycephalosaurs, were herbivores, walked on 2 legs, and had thick, helmet-like skulls. Some dinosaurs in this group had skulls 9 in (23 cm) thick! Ornithopoda (or-nith-uh-PODE-ah), or ornithopods, were beaked herbivores that mainly walked and ran on 2 feet. They’re commonly known as duck-billed dinosaurs. Theropoda (thair-uh-PODE-ah), or therapods, walked on 2 legs and were carnivores. This group includes numerous families, from the massive Tyrannosaurus to avian dinosaurs, or the ancestors of modern birds.
Dinosaurs often get their names from Latin or Greek words, and it’s helpful to include each name’s meaning on your flashcard. The word dinosaur, for example, comes from the Ancient Greek words deinos, or “terrible,” and sauros, or “lizard. ”[3] X Research source To make a flashcard, write “Triceratops” on one side, then write “Ceratopsia, herbivore, late Cretaceous period, ‘Three-horned face. ’ on the other. ” You could also draw or print out a picture of each dinosaur and paste it on the side with its name. In addition to well-known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus, try to memorize lesser-known species. Examples include the sauropod Mamenchisaurus (mah-MEN-chi-SAWR-us), the ceratopsian Styracosaurus (stih-RAK-uh-SAWR-us), and the carnivorous Carcharodontosaurus (kar-kar-o-DON-tuh-SAWR-us).
The Mesozoic Era lasted from 252 to 66 million years ago, or for about 186 million years. In contrast, Homo sapiens, or modern humans, have only been around for about 300,000 years![5] X Research source The Mesozoic Era is divided into 3 periods: the Triassic, the Jurassic, and the Cretaceous. All non-avian (non-bird) dinosaurs went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous about 66 million years ago. Modern birds are the descendants of avian dinosaurs, so it’s fair to say that some dinosaurs still walk the Earth!
Check out blog posts and podcasts about fieldwork created by reputable paleontologists at http://www. pasttime. org. Fossils form when bones, shells, and other organic materials gradually decay and form a mold. Over time, minerals fill this mold, replace the organic material, and form rocks in the shape of the bone or shell. This process is called fossilization. Fossils tell us all about the anatomy of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. They also help paleontologists understand dinosaur behavior. For example, by examining fossilized footprints, paleontologists can infer how dinosaurs moved, determine whether they lived in groups, and figure out how different species interacted. [7] X Research source
The American Museum of Natural History is packed with educational resources. Find videos, articles, and more at https://www. amnh. org/dinosaurs. A documentary from 1995 or 2000 collecting dust on your library’s shelves might be fun to watch, but paleontologists have made significant dinosaur discoveries since then. If you do come across an old documentary, draw contrasts between what we knew then and our knowledge of dinosaurs today.
Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages by Dr. Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. is a great source for kids and adults alike. Digging Dinosaurs: The Search That Unraveled the Mystery of Baby Dinosaurs by John R. “Jack” Horner is the memoir of one the most widely respected paleontologists. Horner is famous for discovering that many dinosaurs nested and cared for their young. The Dinosauria, edited by David Weishampel, Peter Dodson, and Halszka Osmólska, is an authoritative reference text and a must-have if you’re serious about your dino-studies.
See the American Museum of Natural History’s dinosaur discoveries page at https://www. amnh. org/explore/science-topics/dinosaur-discoveries.
For major natural history museums, try to buy passes in advance to avoid long lines. If you’re a student, ask your parents to take you, or talk to your science teacher about a school field trip. If you can’t get to a major museum in person, you can still find a treasure trove of information on museum websites.
Removing fossils from the site isn’t allowed at some fossil parks. Be sure to check the rules before bringing anything home. It’s illegal, for example, to remove a fossil from a U. S. National Park Service site. In the United States, find the nearest fossil park at https://www. myfossil. org/fossil-parks.
Unlike most other scientific disciplines, amateur paleontologists make major contributions to the field. Jack Horner, for example, never earned a degree in paleontology. If you learn how to identify and collect fossils, you might end up discovering a new species of dinosaur![13] X Research source
Volunteering is a great way to get free access to a museum’s resources. Try not to be shy about approaching a museum professional. They’re passionate about their field, and they’ll most likely be eager to share their knowledge with you.
For example, suppose you join a fossil club and attend a workshop on proper excavation techniques. Chat with the workshop leader afterward, and ask questions about their lesson. Reaching out to a potential mentor can be intimidating, but do your best not to be shy. Just relax and express your interest in learning more about paleontology. They’ll probably be excited to share their knowledge with you! If you pursue a degree in paleontology, you’ll choose a professor to be your mentor and thesis adviser.
You don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree in paleontology, which isn’t a common undergraduate degree program. You could earn your degree in archaeology, geology or biology, then apply to graduate programs in paleontology or paleobiology. [17] X Research source
