Dino Doc
~Dilophosaurus~
~Dilophosaurus~
The Dilophosaurus is a dinosaur that wasn’t well made in the Jurassic Park Movie. It doesn’t have any scientific evidence that is had frills on the side of it’s head, and no evidence that it spat poison. Also in the movie, it’s portrayed as the size of a golden retriever, yet at full size it can get to be 20 feet long from head to tail, and to weigh about 1000 pounds. Thanks to the inaccurate portrayal in Jurassic Park, it may be the most misunderstood dinosaur that ever lived.
The Dilophosaurus is a dinosaur that wasn’t well made in the Jurassic Park Movie. It doesn’t have any scientific evidence that is had frills on the side of it’s head, and no evidence that it spat poison. Also in the movie, it’s portrayed as the size of a golden retriever, yet at full size it can get to be 20 feet long from head to tail, and to weigh about 1000 pounds. Thanks to the inaccurate portrayal in Jurassic Park, it may be the most misunderstood dinosaur that ever lived.
Onto the description, it had two crests on its head, and it’s also what helped came up with it’s name, since the name means “two-crested lizard”, or “double crested lizard”. The crests might have actually been used for finding mates, perhaps the male with the largest crest is what the females wanted. Surprisingly, Dilophosaurus may have actually been warm-blooded. It is actually 3 times as long as a human is tall. Fossils of this misunderstood dino have been found in North America and China.
Onto the description, it had two crests on its head, and it’s also what helped came up with it’s name, since the name means “two-crested lizard”, or “double crested lizard”. The crests might have actually been used for finding mates, perhaps the male with the largest crest is what the females wanted. Surprisingly, Dilophosaurus may have actually been warm-blooded. It is actually 3 times as long as a human is tall. Fossils of this misunderstood dino have been found in North America and China.
Dilophosaurus was a carnivore and lived about 193 million years ago.
Dilophosaurus was a carnivore and lived about 193 million years ago.
~Triceratops~
~Triceratops~
The Triceratops is a four-legged extinct dinosaur genus. Its name means “three-horned face”. They were about 30 feet long, and weighed about 5 tons. The skull of the Triceratops is actually about one-third of it’s full size! One of the Triceratops predators was the all-known, misunderstood beast, Tyrannosaurus Rex (If you didn’t take the hint, I don’t like the Tyrannosaurus, it’s overrated and it’s not even the biggest and scariest dinosaur)! It had a hard, parrot-like beak, which was helpful in eating the plants they choose for lunch, like the tough fibrous plant material in Jurassic times. Ancestors of the Triceratops were actually the size of house cats. Triceratops used its neck frill to communicate with other members of their herd, like say if a predator was nearby, it would signal the herd. Did you know that Triceratops fossils are very valuable to collectors?
The Triceratops is a four-legged extinct dinosaur genus. Its name means “three-horned face”. They were about 30 feet long, and weighed about 5 tons. The skull of the Triceratops is actually about one-third of it’s full size! One of the Triceratops predators was the all-known, misunderstood beast, Tyrannosaurus Rex (If you didn’t take the hint, I don’t like the Tyrannosaurus, it’s overrated and it’s not even the biggest and scariest dinosaur)! It had a hard, parrot-like beak, which was helpful in eating the plants they choose for lunch, like the tough fibrous plant material in Jurassic times. Ancestors of the Triceratops were actually the size of house cats. Triceratops used its neck frill to communicate with other members of their herd, like say if a predator was nearby, it would signal the herd. Did you know that Triceratops fossils are very valuable to collectors?
Triceratops was a herbivore and lived approximately 68 million years ago.
Triceratops was a herbivore and lived approximately 68 million years ago.
~Tyrannosaurus Rex~
~Tyrannosaurus Rex~
The Tyrannosaurus Rex was not the largest dinosaur, because the Giganotosaurus and the Spinosaurus are both bigger! The arms of the T. Rex aren’t actually that short, they were actually over 3 feet long. The dinosaur with the smallest arm-to-body ratio belongs to the Carnotaurus, which compared their arm-to-body ratio, it’s arms look like little nubs. This dinosaur also had very bad smelling breath. Female T. Rexes are actually bigger than males. An average T. Rex lifespan is about 30 years. It was a hunter and a scavenger. T. Rex hatchlings may have been covered in feathers. It had an incredibly powerful bite power, about 1500 to 3000 pounds per square inch. It was originally known as Manospondylus. One of it’s favorite meals was the Triceratops, especially newborns, elders, and sick ones. Only if it was desperate it would go after a full size and healthy one.
The Tyrannosaurus Rex was not the largest dinosaur, because the Giganotosaurus and the Spinosaurus are both bigger! The arms of the T. Rex aren’t actually that short, they were actually over 3 feet long. The dinosaur with the smallest arm-to-body ratio belongs to the Carnotaurus, which compared their arm-to-body ratio, it’s arms look like little nubs. This dinosaur also had very bad smelling breath. Female T. Rexes are actually bigger than males. An average T. Rex lifespan is about 30 years. It was a hunter and a scavenger. T. Rex hatchlings may have been covered in feathers. It had an incredibly powerful bite power, about 1500 to 3000 pounds per square inch. It was originally known as Manospondylus. One of it’s favorite meals was the Triceratops, especially newborns, elders, and sick ones. Only if it was desperate it would go after a full size and healthy one.
Tyrannosaurus was a carnivore and lived around 68-65 million years ago.
Tyrannosaurus was a carnivore and lived around 68-65 million years ago.
~Stegosaurus~
~Stegosaurus~
The Stegosaurus had a really small brain, about the size of a walnut. Paleontologists once thought that the Stegosaurus had a brain in it’s butt! The spiked tail of Stegosaurus is called a “thagomizer”. Despite the Stegosaurus’ plates being so recognizable, we don’t actually know that much about them. Stegosaurus means “roofed lizard”. The Stegosaurus would eat rocks along with the plant material so that the rocks would help crush the plants. Stegosaurus was actually one of the first dinosaurs to develop cheeks… weird. Also, the Stegosaurus is the state dinosaur of colorado! Once, it was thought by early paleontologists that the Stegosaurus walked on two legs. Most fossils were found in Europe and Asia, so that’s where we believe they lived. The Stegosaurus was closely related to the Ankylosaurus. It was about 30 feet long, 14 feet high, and weighed about 5 metric tons in weight. The had a wimpy maximum speed of around 5 miles per hour.
The Stegosaurus had a really small brain, about the size of a walnut. Paleontologists once thought that the Stegosaurus had a brain in it’s butt! The spiked tail of Stegosaurus is called a “thagomizer”. Despite the Stegosaurus’ plates being so recognizable, we don’t actually know that much about them. Stegosaurus means “roofed lizard”. The Stegosaurus would eat rocks along with the plant material so that the rocks would help crush the plants. Stegosaurus was actually one of the first dinosaurs to develop cheeks… weird. Also, the Stegosaurus is the state dinosaur of colorado! Once, it was thought by early paleontologists that the Stegosaurus walked on two legs. Most fossils were found in Europe and Asia, so that’s where we believe they lived. The Stegosaurus was closely related to the Ankylosaurus. It was about 30 feet long, 14 feet high, and weighed about 5 metric tons in weight. The had a wimpy maximum speed of around 5 miles per hour.
Stegosaurus was an herbivore and lived about 150 million years ago.
Stegosaurus was an herbivore and lived about 150 million years ago.
~Ankylosaurus~
~Ankylosaurus~
The Ankylosaurus means “fused lizard” and lived at the end of the Cretaceous Period. It was one of the only dinosaurs still remaining before the large extinction chain during that time. It was a large dinosaur, around 30 feet long with a weight of about 8000 pounds! They have very small teeth, comparable to their body size. The signature feature of the Ankylosaurus was its body armor, huge plates of bone which were embedded into the skin, which helped the Ankylosaurus defend itself. It has similar body armor to an armadillo, or crocodile. The Ankylosaurus had a huge tail club that it could have used to generate a large amount of force, potentially breaking the bones of it’s predators, or enemies, while it’s protecting itself. The Ankylosaurus’ brain was unusually small, about the size of a walnut, like the Stegosaurus. The Ankylosaurus was once known as “Dynamosaurus”. Dinosaurs similar to the Ankylosaurus lived all around the world.
The Ankylosaurus means “fused lizard” and lived at the end of the Cretaceous Period. It was one of the only dinosaurs still remaining before the large extinction chain during that time. It was a large dinosaur, around 30 feet long with a weight of about 8000 pounds! They have very small teeth, comparable to their body size. The signature feature of the Ankylosaurus was its body armor, huge plates of bone which were embedded into the skin, which helped the Ankylosaurus defend itself. It has similar body armor to an armadillo, or crocodile. The Ankylosaurus had a huge tail club that it could have used to generate a large amount of force, potentially breaking the bones of it’s predators, or enemies, while it’s protecting itself. The Ankylosaurus’ brain was unusually small, about the size of a walnut, like the Stegosaurus. The Ankylosaurus was once known as “Dynamosaurus”. Dinosaurs similar to the Ankylosaurus lived all around the world.
Ankylosaurus was an herbivore and lived about 65 million years ago.
Ankylosaurus was an herbivore and lived about 65 million years ago.
~Pachycephalosaurus~
~Pachycephalosaurus~
The Pachycephalosaurus had a skull 30 times thicker than humans! It weighed about as much as a brown bear (900 pounds). It walked on two legs and is believed to have evolved from Hypsilophodon. It was about as long as a box truck (15 feet). It was first discovered in 1938 by William Winkley in Montana. Besides that, other fossils have been found in Canada, Madagascar, and Mongolia. It’s known for its five-fingered claws, long and powerful legs, and three-toed feet. Though, it’s most well known for the thick bone dome on the top of its head. The Pachycephalosaurus’ skull could have been as much as ten inches thick! The skull plate was also surrounded by many bony knobs. Some paleontologists believe that they used the domes to butt heads with other Pachycephalosaurus’, but the domes would definitely crack and break if that were true. The Pachycephalosaurus ate mainly leaves, fruits, nuts, and possibly insects.
The Pachycephalosaurus had a skull 30 times thicker than humans! It weighed about as much as a brown bear (900 pounds). It walked on two legs and is believed to have evolved from Hypsilophodon. It was about as long as a box truck (15 feet). It was first discovered in 1938 by William Winkley in Montana. Besides that, other fossils have been found in Canada, Madagascar, and Mongolia. It’s known for its five-fingered claws, long and powerful legs, and three-toed feet. Though, it’s most well known for the thick bone dome on the top of its head. The Pachycephalosaurus’ skull could have been as much as ten inches thick! The skull plate was also surrounded by many bony knobs. Some paleontologists believe that they used the domes to butt heads with other Pachycephalosaurus’, but the domes would definitely crack and break if that were true. The Pachycephalosaurus ate mainly leaves, fruits, nuts, and possibly insects.
Pachycephalosaurus was an herbivore and lived about 75 million years ago.
Pachycephalosaurus was an herbivore and lived about 75 million years ago.
~Parasaurolophus~
~Parasaurolophus~
The Parasaurolophus was a duck-billed dinosaur. It used it’s crest to communicate with others. The Parasaurolophus didn’t use its crest as a snorkel for breathing underwater or breathing in general. It also didn’t use it for attacking. The crest of the Parasaurolophus may have been used to regulate its temperature. Parasaurolophus was bipedal, which means it could walk or run on two legs. There are three different species of Parasaurolophus, Parasaurolophus walkeri, P. tubicen, and the P. cyrtocristatus. Parasaurolophus is about 33 feet long, weighing about 3.5 tons. Parasaurolophus was related to Saurolophus and Prosaurolophus, as well as Charonosaurus. Parasaurolophus’ teeth continue to grow throughout its lifetime. Parasaurolophus means “near-crested lizard”. It could travel at a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour, but couldn’t keep it up for long distances. Parasaurolophus most likely lived in herds, and was active during the day.
The Parasaurolophus was a duck-billed dinosaur. It used it’s crest to communicate with others. The Parasaurolophus didn’t use its crest as a snorkel for breathing underwater or breathing in general. It also didn’t use it for attacking. The crest of the Parasaurolophus may have been used to regulate its temperature. Parasaurolophus was bipedal, which means it could walk or run on two legs. There are three different species of Parasaurolophus, Parasaurolophus walkeri, P. tubicen, and the P. cyrtocristatus. Parasaurolophus is about 33 feet long, weighing about 3.5 tons. Parasaurolophus was related to Saurolophus and Prosaurolophus, as well as Charonosaurus. Parasaurolophus’ teeth continue to grow throughout its lifetime. Parasaurolophus means “near-crested lizard”. It could travel at a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour, but couldn’t keep it up for long distances. Parasaurolophus most likely lived in herds, and was active during the day.
Parasaurolophus was an herbivore and lived around 73 million years ago.
Parasaurolophus was an herbivore and lived around 73 million years ago.
~Velociraptor~
~Velociraptor~
In Jurassic Park movies, the Velociraptors aren’t actually Velociraptors, but instead, they are actually Deinonychus. Velociraptor means, “Swift Thief”. The Velociraptor also had feathers, not scaly reptilian skin. Velociraptor isn’t actually big, but the size of a big chicken, and it actually is only 33 pounds. It only reached about 6.6 feet tall maximum. There’s also no evidence that Velociraptors hunted in packs, but you can believe what you want. Another thing, the Velociraptor’s IQ was wildly exaggerated, in the Jurassic Park movie, it shows the Velociraptors able to open doors. Troodons were smarter than Velociraptors, but… Troodon were nowhere close to being able to open doors. They have a single sickle-shaped, retractable, 9 centimeter long claw on each foot, which was located on the second toe. They were able to move about 60 km/hour for short times. It had 13 to 15 teeth in it’s front jaw and 14 to 15 in its lower jaw.
In Jurassic Park movies, the Velociraptors aren’t actually Velociraptors, but instead, they are actually Deinonychus. Velociraptor means, “Swift Thief”. The Velociraptor also had feathers, not scaly reptilian skin. Velociraptor isn’t actually big, but the size of a big chicken, and it actually is only 33 pounds. It only reached about 6.6 feet tall maximum. There’s also no evidence that Velociraptors hunted in packs, but you can believe what you want. Another thing, the Velociraptor’s IQ was wildly exaggerated, in the Jurassic Park movie, it shows the Velociraptors able to open doors. Troodons were smarter than Velociraptors, but… Troodon were nowhere close to being able to open doors. They have a single sickle-shaped, retractable, 9 centimeter long claw on each foot, which was located on the second toe. They were able to move about 60 km/hour for short times. It had 13 to 15 teeth in it’s front jaw and 14 to 15 in its lower jaw.
Velociraptor was a carnivore and lived around 73 million years ago.
Velociraptor was a carnivore and lived around 73 million years ago.
~Baryonyx~
~Baryonyx~
Baryonyx spent most of its time in or around water, yet it wasn’t fully aquatic. It’s name means “heavy claw”. Amazingly, it was the first fish eating dinosaur ever discovered! Adding to that, it is possible that it could have ate other dinosaurs as well. It was first discovered in 1983 by an amatuer paleontologist named William Parker in the United Kingdom. At the time of this discovery, it was one of the first carnivorous dinosaurs found in England. It was about 9 feet tall, 31 feet long and weighed approximately 3 tons. Baryonyx had two small arms, a small crest on its snout, a crocodile-like jaw that had over 95 very sharp, saw-like teeth, and claws that could reach over a foot long. It’s believed they hunted fish in the same way modern grizzlies do. It has even been verified that their main diets were fish, since once paleontologists found fossilized fish bones within the dinosaur’s preserved remains. Baryonyx was a carnivore and lived about 130 million years ago.
Baryonyx spent most of its time in or around water, yet it wasn’t fully aquatic. It’s name means “heavy claw”. Amazingly, it was the first fish eating dinosaur ever discovered! Adding to that, it is possible that it could have ate other dinosaurs as well. It was first discovered in 1983 by an amatuer paleontologist named William Parker in the United Kingdom. At the time of this discovery, it was one of the first carnivorous dinosaurs found in England. It was about 9 feet tall, 31 feet long and weighed approximately 3 tons. Baryonyx had two small arms, a small crest on its snout, a crocodile-like jaw that had over 95 very sharp, saw-like teeth, and claws that could reach over a foot long. It’s believed they hunted fish in the same way modern grizzlies do. It has even been verified that their main diets were fish, since once paleontologists found fossilized fish bones within the dinosaur’s preserved remains. Baryonyx was a carnivore and lived about 130 million years ago.
~Compsognathus~
~Compsognathus~
Compsognathus lived in Europe, but fossils of this dinosaur have been found Germany and France. Compsognathus means “pretty jaw”. Compsognathus is also a Theropod- a group of bipedal dinosaurs than included ancestors of birds(Compy isn’t an ancestor of birds though). It was about 2.5 feet long, weighing about 6-7 pounds. The Compsognathus isn’t actually the smallest known dinosaur anymore, with the current record-holder being the E now. Also, going back to the bird-ancestor thing, there’s proof that it’s not an ancestor. Even though it’s very similar to Archeopteryx, there was no indents or proof showing that the Compsognathus had feathers, so researches have shown that instead, they had classic reptilian skin. There’s no proven evidence that Compsognathus traveled in packs, as seen Jurassic Park.
Compsognathus lived in Europe, but fossils of this dinosaur have been found Germany and France. Compsognathus means “pretty jaw”. Compsognathus is also a Theropod- a group of bipedal dinosaurs than included ancestors of birds(Compy isn’t an ancestor of birds though). It was about 2.5 feet long, weighing about 6-7 pounds. The Compsognathus isn’t actually the smallest known dinosaur anymore, with the current record-holder being the E now. Also, going back to the bird-ancestor thing, there’s proof that it’s not an ancestor. Even though it’s very similar to Archeopteryx, there was no indents or proof showing that the Compsognathus had feathers, so researches have shown that instead, they had classic reptilian skin. There’s no proven evidence that Compsognathus traveled in packs, as seen Jurassic Park.
Compsognathus was a carnivore and lived about 150 million years ago.
Compsognathus was a carnivore and lived about 150 million years ago.
~Microraptor~
~Microraptor~
Microraptor is one of the smallest dinosaurs known to mankind. It’s a tiny feathered dinosaur with four wings, not two. One species of Microraptor had black feathers, and they were glossy, as a way to attract mates during the corresponding season. Currently, it’s very difficult to tell if this dino-bird was an active flyer or a glider. Since it’s hind legs would've produced sloppy running, it’s believed that this thing did take flight though, most likely by jumping off branches. Sadly, Microraptor never got to evolve into some sort of modern bird, because they died off before they could evolve further and flourish. It would’ve been really cool to see a four-winged modern bird though, which is mainly the reason I wished it evolved further. Over 300 fossil remains have been found of it, and it wasn’t the only four-winged dinosaur found. It’s name means “tiny thief” or “small plunderer”.
Microraptor is one of the smallest dinosaurs known to mankind. It’s a tiny feathered dinosaur with four wings, not two. One species of Microraptor had black feathers, and they were glossy, as a way to attract mates during the corresponding season. Currently, it’s very difficult to tell if this dino-bird was an active flyer or a glider. Since it’s hind legs would've produced sloppy running, it’s believed that this thing did take flight though, most likely by jumping off branches. Sadly, Microraptor never got to evolve into some sort of modern bird, because they died off before they could evolve further and flourish. It would’ve been really cool to see a four-winged modern bird though, which is mainly the reason I wished it evolved further. Over 300 fossil remains have been found of it, and it wasn’t the only four-winged dinosaur found. It’s name means “tiny thief” or “small plunderer”.
Microraptor was a carnivore and lived about 125 million years ago.
Microraptor was a carnivore and lived about 125 million years ago.
~Epidexipteryx~
~Epidexipteryx~
Epidexipteryx is a genus of small paravian dinosaurs. It was a very good discovery, as one of the first dino-birds to be found. It’s tail feathers were highly ornate. These feathers are similar to peacock feathers, and were most likely used to attract mates during mating season. It was also covered in smaller, primitive feathers instead of reptilian skin and scales. It was very small and lived in the inner Mongolian region of China. In full length, it’s about 10 inches long, and 17.5 inches including the incomplete tail feathers. Epidexipteryx means “display feather”. It had teeth in only the front jaws, and they were unusually long and angled forward. This is a feature seen only in Masiakasaurus among other theropods. Even though it’s relatively close to birds, it lacked wing feathers so it could not fly. A theory about this is that Epidexipteryx evolved from flying ancestors, but just didn’t get the wings.
Epidexipteryx is a genus of small paravian dinosaurs. It was a very good discovery, as one of the first dino-birds to be found. It’s tail feathers were highly ornate. These feathers are similar to peacock feathers, and were most likely used to attract mates during mating season. It was also covered in smaller, primitive feathers instead of reptilian skin and scales. It was very small and lived in the inner Mongolian region of China. In full length, it’s about 10 inches long, and 17.5 inches including the incomplete tail feathers. Epidexipteryx means “display feather”. It had teeth in only the front jaws, and they were unusually long and angled forward. This is a feature seen only in Masiakasaurus among other theropods. Even though it’s relatively close to birds, it lacked wing feathers so it could not fly. A theory about this is that Epidexipteryx evolved from flying ancestors, but just didn’t get the wings.
Epidexipteryx was a carnivore and lived about 160 million years ago.
Epidexipteryx was a carnivore and lived about 160 million years ago.
~Masiakasaurus~
~Masiakasaurus~
The first Masiakasaurus fossils were found in 2001, with a second set found in 2011, helping finding out more about it’s skull and other skeletal features. Masiakasaurus means “vicious lizard”. One of their best features was that their front teeth point forward and out of their mouth. This increased their ability to catch small, fast moving prey. Those teeth also curve upwards, creating a hook-like motion. It’s not only known for their teeth though, but a contributor is also known that the type of species was named after the musician Mark Knopfler. Masiakasaurus was bipedal, and its forearms were shorter than its hind legs. It was about 1.6-2 meters long at an adult length. It’s a member of the order Saurischia, a group of lizard-hipped dinosaurs. Fossils were found in the Maevarano Foundation, in Madagascar. It was a pretty small dinosaur, with its long tail helping it be more balanced.
The first Masiakasaurus fossils were found in 2001, with a second set found in 2011, helping finding out more about it’s skull and other skeletal features. Masiakasaurus means “vicious lizard”. One of their best features was that their front teeth point forward and out of their mouth. This increased their ability to catch small, fast moving prey. Those teeth also curve upwards, creating a hook-like motion. It’s not only known for their teeth though, but a contributor is also known that the type of species was named after the musician Mark Knopfler. Masiakasaurus was bipedal, and its forearms were shorter than its hind legs. It was about 1.6-2 meters long at an adult length. It’s a member of the order Saurischia, a group of lizard-hipped dinosaurs. Fossils were found in the Maevarano Foundation, in Madagascar. It was a pretty small dinosaur, with its long tail helping it be more balanced.
Masiakasaurus was a carnivore and lived about 65 million years ago.
Masiakasaurus was a carnivore and lived about 65 million years ago.
~Majungasaurus~
~Majungasaurus~
It was one of the last dinosaurs that ever lived. It was first discovered in 1896 by a French army officer along the Betsiboka River in Madagascar. Majungasaurus means “Majunga lizard”... so original. It was about 20 feet long and weighed about a ton. It was bipedal, had a short snout, and small hands. It also had a single horn on the top of its skull. Fossils of this dinosaur have been found on other Majungasaurus fossils, indicating cannibalism. They could’ve hunted others, or just fed off the already dead carcasses. Currently, it’s one of the most studied dinosaurs of all time, due to its pro ponderous skeletal material. Even though it had big shoulder blades, it had really small arms. It had oddly small hind legs, for it’s stocky build. This dinosaur’s skull was a mistake for over 20 years, the French scientist that found it thought it was a type of Pachycephalosaurus skull.
It was one of the last dinosaurs that ever lived. It was first discovered in 1896 by a French army officer along the Betsiboka River in Madagascar. Majungasaurus means “Majunga lizard”... so original. It was about 20 feet long and weighed about a ton. It was bipedal, had a short snout, and small hands. It also had a single horn on the top of its skull. Fossils of this dinosaur have been found on other Majungasaurus fossils, indicating cannibalism. They could’ve hunted others, or just fed off the already dead carcasses. Currently, it’s one of the most studied dinosaurs of all time, due to its pro ponderous skeletal material. Even though it had big shoulder blades, it had really small arms. It had oddly small hind legs, for it’s stocky build. This dinosaur’s skull was a mistake for over 20 years, the French scientist that found it thought it was a type of Pachycephalosaurus skull.
Majungasaurus was a carnivore and lived about 68 million years ago.
Majungasaurus was a carnivore and lived about 68 million years ago.