Dinos world

2009-08-19T16:59:00.001+05:30

THE WORLD OF DINOSAURS
BY Preetam

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DINOSAURS

Dinosaurs are at present the most famous, popular and familiar of all animals. Dinosaurs dominated the world in the Mesozoic Era for a time period of 140 – 150 million years, making them the most successful of any species to survive on planet earth. The last of the Dinosaurs died away around 65 million years ago and consisted of some of the largest animals which have lived on land. Referred to as “Terrible Lizards” these animals have virtually become the fascination of today, had these animals not become possible, in the pages to come we have traced down the varied of Dinosaurs that existed on our earth…

In common belief Dinosaurs were just big reptile like animals which were slow moving, slow witted, large in size and highly dangerous. However in reality there were Dinosaurs which were as large as the blue Whales and as the Rats, as intelligent and swift as the chimpanzees, as fast as the horse and as calm as the sheep. They dominated Earth for around and over 165 million years and are still taken as the most basically the same body structure and however came in four legged, two legged, toothless, large fanged etc forms.

DINOSAURS ORIGIN, HABITS & EXTINCTION

Thousands of years ago life on earth started with Marine organisms which evaluated to other forms of life. Dinosaurs descended from ARCHOSAURS which was a group of reptile. These ruling dominated our planet for 183 million years in between 248 to 65 million years ago (Mesozoic Era).

Most of the Dinosaurs have been placed under the herbivorous (plant eating) and Carnivorous (meat eating) category. There were very few which ate both meat and plant. The meat eating Dinosaurs could hunt other plant eating Dinosaurs which could be at time 3 – 4 times their size. Like modern day birds most Dinosaurs practiced courtship rituals and made nests to lay their eggs and even took care of their young one’s Most Dinosaurs grew up very fast.

There are a varied number of theories about the extinction of Dinosaurs which have been based on again many a reasons. However most scientists believe that the extinction took in and around 60 – 65 million years ago but there has been no fixed theory as yet which comments about as to whether they disappeared in a few seconds or it took them thousands of years before they vanished from the face of earth, the most accepted theory about extinction of Dinosaurs is related to the various climatic changes that were brought about by volcanic eruption; the pouring lava resulting into huge quantities of Carbon-Dioxide, other acids and by products which leads to overheating of earth’s surface & acid rains could be the reason of their destruction. Another theory which also quite acceptable to the scientific community as a reason for the extinction of Dinosaurs is hitting of a asteroid or mini planet on earth leading to formation of craters; vaporizing rocks; thus flinging vast masses of dust into the atmosphere; All leading to change in whether abruptly which led to the eventual of this reptile species.

Some most unacceptable theories include the one’s like of self Destruction where meat eating dinosaurs ate all the plant eating Dinosaurs and thus there was nothing left to eat and eventually they all died out because of starvation; Other one being that mat be an epidemic of some deadly virus broke out and destroyed the entire race.

DISCOVERY & ANATOMY OF THE DINOSAURS

Dinosaurs were first discovered in the fossils and explained by Englishman William Buckland in 1824 and then in 1825 by Gideon Mantel. They were first grouped by Prof. Harry Govier Seeley in 1887. Discovery of Dinosaurs fossils at many places after this got a lot of attention from scientists and by the beginning of 20th century a lot of work had been done in this field. With the advancement of science a lot of fossils were discovered early this century in Germany, America, Belgium, Canada, China, South America, Africa, India and many other parts of the world however recently in 1980 dinosaur fossils have been discovered at un-expected places like New Zealand, Japan, Polar regions, Antarctica and Alaska.

After the discovery of fossils the entire structure of the dinosaurs were reconstructed and their general feature common to the entire species were classified. Most Dinosaurs had large Skeletons to support and protect their body weight, muscle and body organs. Heavier dinosaurs had thick solid limbs where as light weighted dinosaurs had thin walled hollow bones to support it selves.

The teeth, mouth structure, claws, external appearance varied according to the diet and the time period of the existence of a particular group of dinosaurs. All other basic structure like tendons, ligaments etc were same for all dinosaurs, intestines were according to dietary habits and Heart – Lung system functioned like those of warm blooded humans or like cold blooded reptiles. Nervous & Hormonal systems controlled & coordinated all bodily functions and brain was responsible for sending all signals. Depending upon the group, dinosaurs had big or small brains.

TIME PERIOD OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE DINOSAURS

Dinosaurs existed on earth in between 248 to 65 million years ago which is referred to as Mesozoic Era (Age of Middle Life). This Era had been divided into three major periods during which different kinds of dinosaurs and other animals existed and eventually died out or evaluated into different kinds of life forms at the end of the era. The world geographically as we known today laid its foundation in late Jurassic Period. During the Triassic Period there was just one huge super continent existent which started cracking up in Jurassic Period and eventually formed into different continents in the Cretaceous Period.

The Periods were: -
1. Triassic Period.
2. Jurassic Period.
3. Cretaceous Period.

I. Triassic Period

This world existed between 248 to 208 million years ago for nearly 40 million years ago and had just one major super continent in the world.

Land: One big super continent known as Pangacea (All Earth). There was no Ice on earth at that time.
Life: On land- Existent creature were Reptile, Dicynodonts, Rhynchosaurs, Cynodonts, Turtle, and Crocodilians. Dinosaurs and Mammals.
In Air- Reptile with Wings, Pterosaurs.
In Water- Reptile, Nothosaurs, Placodonts, Ichthyosaurs.
Plants: Seed ferns, Cycads, Conifers, Cycadeoids, Ginkgoes.
Weather: Mild warm or hot.

II. Jurassic Period

Existed about 208 to 144 million years ago and marked the middle of the Mesozoic Era.

Land: Super continent was cracking up. Atlantic Ocean was formed in this period.
Life: On land- Dinosaurs, Mammals like reptile.
In Air- Pterosaurs, Archaeopteryx.
In Water- Ichthyosaurs, Marine crocodiles, Plesiosaurs, Pliosaurs.
Plants: Tall conifers, Ginkgoes, Cycadeoids, Tree Ferns, Horsetails.
Weather: Warm worldwide and Rains and Begun.

III. Cretaceous Period

Existed about 144 to 65 million years ago; it dawned the Mesozoic Era and also the Dinosaurs Era.

Land: Continents as we know today had been formed. Temperature variation had started on different continents.
Life: On land- Small Mammals, Dinosaurs, Snakes.
In Air- Pterosaurs, Quetzalcoatl’s, Pterandan, Sinornis, Concornis, Mononykus.
In Water- Crocodilians, Champsosaurs, Turtles, Mosasaurs.
Plants: Conifers, Ginkgoes, Cycadophytes, Ferns, Angiosperms, Oaks, Maples, Walnuts, Many other Flowering plants.

CLASSIFICATION OF DINOSAURS

All known Dinosaurs have been broadly classified into two major Groups:

1. SAURISCHIA
2. ORNITHISCHIA

The basic difference between the two Groups being that Saurischia were always long necked and Ornithischia were short necked. In both the Group there were Carnivorous
(Meat Eating) and Herbivorous (Plant Eating) sub groups, for further knowledge about their classification have look at the chart below:

THEROPODS

This classification when translated into English means Dinosaurs with “beast feet” and included nearly all kinds of hunting dinosaurs. Most of the Dinosaurs here had bird like feature and at some time may be some of them even had a feature which eventually evaluated out.
They are further divided into the following sub - group:

1. Herrarasaurus
2. Coelophysis
3. Dilophosaurus
4. Eustreptospondylus
5. Compsognathus
6. Archaeopteryx
7. Allosaurus
8. Ceratosaurus
9. Ornitholestes
10. Baryonyx
11. Deinonychus
12. Spinosaurus
13. Carnotaurus
14. Avimimus
15. Oviraptor
16. Gallimimus
17. Struthiomimus
18. Troodon
19. Tyrannosaurus

1. Herrarasaurus
Named after its finder victorino Herrera who first found its skeleton, this is one of the first living Dinosaurs. Characterized as a meat eating reptile; running on two feet; this species lived in between 248 – 208 million years ago. It had very sharp teeth and claws for catching. Holding and eventually killing its prey.
Time period: - Sometime around 228 million years ago. (Triassic Period)
Length : - 3 meters
Weight : - 100 Kgs

2. Coelophysis
This Dinosaurs was built like a bird having the same kind of body features viz S shaped neck, slim body and long legs. This species also lived in herbs where in the males and a bigger and larger body structure than the females. In English it is called “Hollow form” and its distinctive feature was that it had a small head and its bones were hollow form inside.
Time period: - 225 million years ago (Triassic period).
Length : - 3 meters
Weight : - 27 kgs

3. Dilophosaurus
Dilaphosaurus was another Carnivorous species of Dinosaurs which at times confronted other males of the same species and the survivor rule the territory. This species always lived in herds and packs. Its distinctive feature included a very long tail and 2 parallel, bony stubs on its head. In the English it is called as “Two Ridge Lizard”. It is Meat eater (Herbivorous Dinosaurs)
Time Period: - 200million year ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 6meters.
Weight : - 500 Kgs.

4. Eustreptospondylus
This Dinosaur had a large head and two parallel very small bumps above its eyes and is called as “well curved vertebra” in English. It was also a meat eater Species but however was also the food of the bigger Dinosaurs living in the and around that period. It is Meat eater Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 165million years ago.
Length : - 7meters.
Weight : - 220 Kgs.

5. Compsognathus
One of the smallest species of the Dinosaurs. Delicately built like a bird with sharp teeth, flexible neck, compact body and long tail. It fed on small insects and lizards and is given the name “Elegant Jaws”. It was quite thin and fast and could out run most of the small animals living in those times.
Time Period: - 156 to 150 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 70 cm to 1.5 meters.
Weight : - 3Kgs.
6. Archaeopteryx
This species of Dinosaurs could undertake short and weak fluttering flight and generally live on trees and is also referred to as primitive bird. Its name being “Ancient wing” it generally lived near the beaches and fed itself on worms, insects, fish etc.
Time Period: - 156 to 150 Million years ago (Jurassic Period).
Length : - 60cms
Weight : - 15 to 20 kgs.

7. Allosaurus
This species of Dinosaurs was perhaps one of the largest species of Dinosaurs existent in its time. Known as the “Other Lizard” it had a small triangular horn on its head and a long deep tail. It always lived in dense growth and forest and lived in herbs to protect itself from attacks form other species of dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 155 to 130 Million years ago (Jurassic Period).
Length : - 11 meters.
Weight : - 1.5 to 2 tones.

8. Ceratosaurus
Known as the “Horned lizard” on account of its horn on its head, this Dinosaur was a powerful predator with a lot of speed while running after its prey. It could hunt other Dinosaurs 2-3 times of its size. This Species of dinosaurs had a distinctively tail. It is Meat eater Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - Around 150million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 4.5 to 6 meter.
Weight : - 1 tone.

9. Ornitholestes
Known as “Bird robber”. It fed on the bird like dinosaurs and lizards, large hatchings. Insects etc. it had sharp claws and a nasal crest. It hunted in groups and fed on dead dinosaurs also. It could at times steal the hunt of other big dinosaurs on account of its fast speed. It is a meat eater Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 150 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 2 meter.
Weight : - 10 to 12.5 Kgs.

10. Baryonyx
The most unusual feature of this species was its long and narrow jaws filled with teeth like a crocodile. It also had a longer and straighter neck. Its English name has been derived from its large and hooked claws and is known as “heavy Claws”. It lived in forest and even ate fish and dead dinosaurs. It is meat eating dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 120million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 10.5 meters.
Weight : - 2 tones.

11. Deinonychus
This species always lived and hunted together in three’s or four’s. It could run like a bird but however still were hunted in great numbers by the bigger dinosaurs; moreover it could also fight with each other over food and females. On account of its sharp claws it was given the name “Terrible claws”. It is the Meat eater Dinosaurs.
Time period: - 113 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 3 meters.
Weight : - 60Kgs.

12. Spinosaurus
This species of Dinosaurs fed on both fish and other species of dinosaurs and was characterized by a tall skin scale like structure on its backbone which rose to around
1.5meter. Know as “Thorn Lizard” it was quite long and lived near lakes and rivers.
At times it ate dead dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 100 to 95 Million years ago (Cretaceous Period).
Length : - 15 meters.
Weight : - 3.9 to 4 tones.

13. Carnotaurus
Characterized by two distinctive small horns on its head just over the eyes; this dinosaurs is called “carnivorous bull”. It had useless looking forelimbs, small wings and scales all over the body. It is the meat eater dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 97 million years ago.
Length : - 7.5 to 7.6 meters.
Weight : - 1 tone.

14. Avimimus
A bird like Dinosaurs which could fly and undertake small flights. It is called as “Bird Mimmic” and was light weighted. Long legged creature with a beak and well developed tail. It was one of the most harmless of the dinosaur’s race and had feather like the modern day bird.
Time Period: - 83 Million years ago (Cretaceous Period).
Length : - 1.5 meters.
Weight : - 40 to 50 kgs.

15. Oviraptor
It is bird like predator dinosaur; it had a beak quite deep containing two teeth like bones and a long tail. Known as “Egg Thief” it had a crest on its head. It used to feed on the eggs of the other dinosaur species and thus accounted for its name. It ate a lot of seafood like mussels and shellfishes.
Time Period: - 83 to 73 Million years ago (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 2 meters.
Weight : - 30 to 35 kgs.

16. Gallimimus
Known as “Chicken Mimic” it fed on both plants and meat and was an omnivore. It could be compared to the present day ostrich and had bird like features. It had big eyes, intelligence compared to that of a present day bird and always lived on the banks of rivers. It used to save itself from other meat eating dinosaurs on account of its fast running speed. It is meat eater Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 73 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 6 meters.
Weight : - 300 to 500 Kgs.

17. Struthiomimus
This species was known for its running speed up to 80kms/hour and resembled the modern day ostrich. Known as “Ostrich Mimic” it had bare and scaly skin. It had large and round eyes and thus could always get an early warning of an attack. It was omnivorous and fed on insects, small animals and fruits. It is the meat eater dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 73 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 4 meters.
Weight : - 150Kgs.

18. Troodon
This dinosaur looked like a turkey and had small, teeth thus accounting for its name “Wounding Tooth”. It had very good eyesight and relatively a larger brain than the other dinosaur’s species. It had a good vision and could also focus on very small animals and there is an opinion that it could also hunt very well in the night. It is the meat eater dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 73 to 65 million yeas ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 2meters.
Weight : - 150 kgs.

19. Tyrannosaurus
This was the last, largest and the most powerful of the predatory dinosaurs. Still Considered as the biggest meat eating animal of any age it is know as “Tyrant Lizard”. It had massive legs and very small arms. Even though it was large, it could still run for short sprints at the speed of 32km/hour.Generally it lived alone or in pairs.
Time Period: - 68 to 65 Million years ago (Cretaceous Period).
Length : - 12 meters.
Weight : - 6.2 to 6.5 tones.

SAUROPODOMORPHS

This classification when translated into English means “lizard feet form”, it basically consisted from small to large dinosaurs which were all plant eating mainly (Herbivorous). They were also recognizable by their long neck, small heads and long tails. They existed between the late Triassic to the late Jurassic period. They are further sub divided into the following:

1. Plateosaurus
2. Riojasaurus
3. Massospodylus
4. Anchisaurus
5. Cetiosaurus
6. Mamenchisaurus
7. Apatosaurus
8. Camarasaurus
9. Brachiosaurus
10. Barosaurus
11. Diplodocus
12. Segnosaurus
13. Saltasaurus

1. Plateosaurus
This species lived in herbs having its advantages and disadvantages; they could save themselves from attacks from other meat eating dinosaurs however in case of any natural calamity like floods they died in a huge numbers also. Known as “Flat Lizard” in English, it was a very large Dinosaurs, It had small head, long neck, very strong hind legs and could walk on its all fours. It is the Plant eater Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 220 million years ago. (Triassic Period)
Length : - 6 to 8 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

2. Riojasaurus
It was a plant eater with a huge body, long neck, long tail, small head and four limbs. It walked on all its four limbs and could reach vegetation at heights. Known in the English as “LaRioja Lizard”, it had solid and massive limb bones to support its body weight. It is the Plant eater dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 219 million years ago. (Triassic Period)
Length : - 10 meters.
Weight : - 1 tone

3. Massospodylus
Having an unusually small head compared to its body size it is referred to as “Massive Vertebra” in English. It had a projecting over jaw which made the lower jaw look like a beak, it had a very thick and strong tail and was Plant eating however there were a few variations here as to some scientists saying that it ate meat also.
Time Period: - 205 to 195 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 5 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

4. Anchisaurus
It lived generally in valleys and roamed about and around lakes in search of food. It had a very small head in comparison to its body, had a long neck and could walk on its all four legs. Its English name is “Near Lizard”. It is the Plant eater Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 194 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 2.5 meters.
Weight : - 25 to 30 kgs.

5. Cetiosaurus
This species of dinosaurs walked on all four limbs and was around 18 meters long. However, it had a short tail. It had been compared to the present day whale thus it derived its English name as “Whale Lizard”. It is the Plant eater Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 180 to 170 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 18 meters.
Weight : - 27 tones.

6. Mamenchisaurus
This dinosaur lived in herbs and took care of its offspring’s it is characterized for having the longest neck – up to 15 meters, among all the dinosaurs. It used to feed on soft leaved water plants. In English it is called as “Mamen Book Lizard”. It is plant eater dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 160 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 25 meters.
Weight : - 27 tones.

7. Apatosaurus
It was a massive Dinosaur with a long neck and tail. Living in herbs it had tom eat continuously to survive. It had toes like that of an elephant and pillar like limbs to support its body. It is called “Deceptive Lizard” in English.
Time period: - 156 to150 Million years ago (Jurassic Period).
Length : - 21 meters.
Weight : - 25 tones.

8. Camarasaurus
Camarasaurus had a very distinctive face with big eyes and nostrils but had a smaller neck. It also walked on its four legs. It could eat branches of trees besides the leaves and had a very keen sense of sight and smell. It is called “Chambered Lizard” in English; it is the Plant eater Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 155 to 150 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 18 meters.
Weight : - 20 tones.

9. Brachiosaurus
Considered as the longest, largest, heaviest; this huge dinosaur was herbivorous. It walked on its four legs and had very flexible and long neck. It lived in herbs and in forests; however traveled very slowly because of its size. It is called as “Arm Lizard” in English. Its food is Plants.
Time Period: - 153 to 113 Million years ago.
Length : - 25 meters.
Weight : - 30 to 50 tones.

10. Barosaurus
One of the longest necked and tailed dinosaur; it had a bulky body. In English it has been called as “Heavy Lizard”.
Time Period: - 150 Million years ago (Jurassic Period).
Length : - 23 to 27 meters.
Weight : - Data Not Available.

11. Diplodocus
Diplodocus lived and traveled in herbs and migrated from one place to another after it had exhausted the food supply in one area. It resembled a suspension bridge and had a long neck and is referred to in English as “Double Beam”.
Time Period: - 150 Million years ago (Jurassic Period).
Length : - 27 meters.
Weight : - 12 tones.

12. Segnosaurus
Another probably plant eating dinosaur which was characterized by a beak. It had a narrow skull, three fingered hands with huge claws. It had webbed feet with clawed toes. As it had a sticky tongue many scientists hold the belief that it may be meat eating also however restricted to only insects. It is given the name “slow Lizard” in English.
Time Period: - 91 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 6 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

13. Saltasaurus
Saltasaurus had a distinctive feature of having armor of bony plates and studs protecting its back. Like other Sauropods it had long neck and walked on its all four legs and fed on plants. It is called as “Salta lizard” in English; it is the Plant eater dinosaur.
Time Period: - 73 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 12 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

THYREOPHORANS

This classification of Dinosaurs were distinguished by cheek bones on their face, heavy limbs, protective bony stubs, spikes and plates down on its back. All of them were vegetarians and survived on low lying vegetation. This group was further classified into the following sub groups: -

1. Scelidosaurus
2. Kentrosaurus
3. Stegosaurus
4. Tuojiangosaurus
5. Minmi
6. Sauropelta
7. Edmontonia
8. Euplocephalus

1. Scelidosaurus
Scelidosaurus was a slow dinosaur which roamed around through thick vegetation or jungles. It had a low body shielded by bony studs from its head till the tail. It ate fruits and plants with soft leaves. It is called as “Limb Lizard” in English.
Time Period: - 200 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 4 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

2. Kentrosaurus
This sub group was distinguished by rows of plates from its neck to its shoulders behind which flat spines which were long, narrow and went all along to its tail. It also had a low lying head. It walked around generally on its four legs and is called as “Spiky Lizard” in ate ferns and low lying vegetation. It is the plant eating dinosaur.
Time Period: - 156 to 150 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 5 meters.
Weight : - 1 tone.

3. Stegosaurus
This sub group had two parallel rows of bony plates which jutted out upwards from its neck, back and tail and ended at the end of the tail where two pairs of spikes existed. All these were used to protect itself from attacks from other species. It had a very small mouth resembling a beak and is given the name “Roof Lizard” in English. It was also herbivorous.
Time period: - 150 Million years ago (Jurassic Period).
Length : - 9 meters.
Weight : - 4 tones.

4. Tuojiangosaurus
It was like its other thyreophorans sub group members having its neck, back and tail being supported by pointed vertical plates ending into 2 pairs of vertical spines on the tail. It used to live around river banks accounting for its English name “River Lizard”. It is Plant eating Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 150 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 7 meters.
Weight : - 1 tone.

5. Minmi
This species have been named after the place where its fossils had been discovered and thus called “Minmi Crossing” in English which is a place in Australia. It had bony plates on its necks and bony nods on tail. It wandered around on all four and run at a good speed when under attack. It is the Plant eating Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 119 to 113 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 3 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

6. Sauropelta
Again like the other members of its family it had long bony cones on its back and tail. Called as a “Shielded Lizard” in English its mouth was in the shape of a beak and it survived on low growing vegetation and plant. It is the plant eating Dinosaurs.
Time Period: - 114 to 97 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 7 meters.
Weight : - 4 tones.

7. Edmontonia
This species had bony plates guarding the neck and the shoulders and small plates covering its back and tail. It had spikes sticking out of back. It got its English name “Of Edmonton” as this was the place it was supposed to have lived in.
Time Period: - 74 to72 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 7 meters.
Weight : - 4 tones.

8. Euplocephalus
This Dinosaur had an extensive armor in the from of bony horns, plates and studs on its back. It had a long tail which ended strangely into a shape of a very heavy bony club. It could travel quite fast compared to the other dinosaurs present in those times and got the name “Well armored Head” in English. It is the Plant eating Dinosaur.
Time Period: - 73 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 7 meters.
Weight : - 2 tones.

ORNITHOPODS

This species of Dinosaurs were referred to as “Bird feet” in English as it had feet like the modern day bird. Most of the sub group of this species had other bird like characters. It had a beak, strong teeth and jaws enabling it to chew vegetation. Predominantly it was herbivorous and varied in sizes from 9 meters to 15 meters long. It could be further be classified into the following sub group: -

1. Lesothosaurus
2. Heterodontosaurus
3. Iguanodon
4. Hypsilophodon
5. Ouranosaurus
6. Maiasaura
7. Corythosaurus
8. Lambeosaurus
9. Edmontosaurus

1. Lesothosaurus
This Dinosaur was short, had a small head, strong legs and was very agile. It lived in semi desert like area and ate plants. It survived attacks by sprinting away. It is called in English as “Lestho Lizard”.
Time Period: - 206 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 1 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

2. Heterodontosaurus
This species had a long and sticky tongue and is called as “Different teeth lizard” on account of three different kinds of teeth in its mouth. It lived in semi deserts and could run at great speeds. It ate plants.
Time Period: - 205 million years ago. (Jurassic Period)
Length : - 1.2 meters.
Weight : - 2.5kgs.

3. Iguanodon
This species of dinosaurs consisted of very heave dinosaurs which were present in large numbers in its time. It resembled the modern day Iguana lizard and thus goy its name “Iguana Tooth” in English. It had a five fingered hands and could walk on both two’s and four’s. It had a toothless beak and was a plant eater.
Time Period: - 140 to 110 Million years ago (Cretaceous Period).
Length : - 9 meters.
Weight : - 4.5 tones.

4. Hypsilophodon
This Dinosaur species had good and sharp eyesight. It had a horny beak and lived near swamps, marshy land and river banks. It had a diet of ferns, low lying plants and other vegetation. It generally lived in herbs and was considered to be one of the fastest of all dinosaurs. Its English name is “High Ridge tooth”.
Time Period: - 120 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 2.3 meters.
Weight : - 5 to 7.5 kgs.

5. Ouranosaurus
Known for the sail on its backside, this species was quite colorful in appearance. It could rest and walk on all fours. It generally lived in hot and dry climatic areas and had a very long beak. Like all other of this group it was a vegetarian. Its English name as “Brave monitory lizard”.
Time Period: - 115 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 7 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

6. Maiasaura
It was distinguished from the rest because of its habit of being a very homely dinosaur which made nests to protect its eggs and took good care of its offspring’s. Got its name “Good mother lizard” in English on account of this fact. It had a horn like crest right above its eyes and lived generally in valleys and plains. It ate plants, palms etc.
Time Period: - 80 to 75 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 9 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

7. Corythosaurus
A very colorful dinosaur, It had a large crest on its head which resemble like a helmet and got its name “Helmet lizard” from that. It lived herbs, mountains and was herbivorous.
Time Period: - 75 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 10 meters.
Weight : - 3.8 tones.

8. Lambeosaurus
This group of dinosaurs was distinguished according to the different shapes of head crests. All of them were quite colorful in there physical appearance, lived in herbs and were a migrating kind of dinosaur which moved from one place to another in search of food. It made a lot of distinctive sounds in order to communicate with each other. Its English name is “Lambe’s lizard”. It ate plants and other vegetation.
Time Period: - 75 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 15 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

9. Edmontosaurus
Edmontosaurus got the name “Edmonton lizard” as its fossils remains were discovered there. It had a large and a flat head with a duck like beak. It could travel on both two and four legs. Some scientists believe that it ate water plants besides land vegetation.
Time Period: - 67 to 65 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 13 meters.
Weight : - 4 tones.

MARGINOCEPHALIANS

Another Group of Dinosaurs which was again a plant eating group, it is named as “Margined Head” in English. The entire sub group had a narrow shelf like or a deep bony frill like structure at the back of its skull. Some of them even had a single horn on their head. Most of this group dinosaurs were large and were good parents, this group is further sub- divided into the following: -

1. Psittacosaurus
2. Protoceratops
3. Centrosaurus
4. Styracosaurus
5. Pachycephalosaurus
6. Triceratops

1. Psittacosaurus
Known as “Parrot lizard”, it got its name because it had a parrot like beak. It had a very small tail and walked most of the times on all four legs.
Time Period: - 113 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 2 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

2. Protoceratops
This Dinosaur sub group was considered to be a family dinosaur; it made nests for its eggs and took care of its young one’s. It had a very broad neck frill and a deep beak. It lived in lands with hot and dry climatic condition and fed on plant diet. On account of its peculiar facial structure it got the name “First horned face” in English. It ate plants, fibrous.
Time Period: - 85 to 78 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 1.8 meters.
Weight : - 180 kgs.

3. Centrosaurus
Named “Well horned lizard” it had a long and strong curved horn on its snout and had a very bony neck frill and resembled a modern day rhinoceros, it had a very heavy skull and its big body was supported by pillar like limbs. It lived in swampy forests or along with river banks. It ate plants, stems, roots.
Time Period: - 75 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 6 meters.
Weight : - 2.7 tones.

4. Styracosaurus
Characterized by a large neck frill atop which there were 3 pairs of long spikes. This species got the name “Spiked Lizard” in English. Another distinctive feature it had was a long curved Nose horn.
Time Period: - 75 to 72 Million years ago (Cretaceous Period).
Length : - 5.5 meters.
Weight : - 2.7 tones.

5. Pachycephalosaurus
It had a bony dome shaped skull structure which was quite strong. Its name in English is “Thick headed lizard”, it had a ring of small spikes around its skull and some of the sub groups had horns on its head. Generally all dinosaurs of this sub group had very thick tails and good eye vision. It ate plants, leaves, seeds.
Time Period: - 68 to 65 million years ago. (Cretaceous Period)
Length : - 4.6 meters.
Weight : - No Data Available.

6. Triceratops
It was herbivorous creature. It had three horns on its head out of which two long and one was short. It had bony frill sticking out from the back its head. It lived and migrated in herds and was found in lands with cool and dry climatic condition. Its English name is “Three Horned Face”
Time Period: - 67 to 65 Million years ago.
Length : - 9 meters.
Weight : - 3.4 tones.

THE FLYING DINOSAURS

Pterosaurs flew on wings of skin, which stretched out from their bodies, along their arms to their long fingers. They launched themselves from high cliffs and flapped their wings as they rode the air current. They had light, delicate bones, which made it easier from them to stay in the air.

1.Pteranodon
Flew over the seas and used their long, toothless beaks to catch fish. They had a wing span of more than 5cm. the long bony crest at have been used as a rubber, to guide and balance the Pteranodon as it flew. Fossils of Pteranodon have been dated at about 80 million years old.

2.Pterosaurs
The largest Pterosaurs yet discovered, called Quetzalcoatl us, had a wing span of about 12cm. this huge reptile may have weighed as much as a big man. Scientist believe that Pterosaurs may have fur, to keep them warm. They had larger brains than many of the dinosaurs and they might have been warm-blooded.

3.Dimorphodon
Dimorphodon had a large, heavy head and was probably a clumsy filer. It may have glided for short distance between trees and rocks.

4.Rhamphorhynchus
Rhamphorhynchus lived about 145 million years ago. It had a narrow head and pointed teeth. Its long tail probably helped it to balance and change direction in mid-air.

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