Dinosaur

Paleontology

Paleontology is a study of prehistoric life. Remains of ancient plants and animals are called fossils. Fossils are studied and excavated by scientists, paleontologists.

Eras and periods

First ''era'' of prehistoric multicellular life is called Proterozoic. 650 million years ago(mya) a mass extinction happened(mass extinction-is a period when many spieces of animals or plants die). After extinction, new spieces named vendobionts appeared. Next 550 mya, after the death of vendobionts, new era begun-Paleozoic. After another mass extinction Mezozoic era started. Now dinosaurs rule. After they became extinct, Cenozoic era begun. People appear.

Paleozoic

Cambrian period

Main predator:Anomalocaris;

Ordovician

Main predator:Orthocone

Orthocone

Silurian

Main predator:Sea scorpion

Devonian

Main predator:Armoured fish

Hyaenodon

Carboniferous

Main predator:Giant dragonfly

Permian

Main predator:Dimetrodon

Mezozoic

Main predators:Dinosaurs(see below)

Cenozoic

Tertiary

Main predator:Hyaenodon

Quaternary

Main predators:Saber-tooth tiger,human.

Horned dinosaur

Armoured dinosaur

Iguanodon

Long-necked dinosaur

Dinosaur footprints

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs are extinct reptiles. They lived from 230 million years ago to 63 million years ago(throughout Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods).

Discovery

1818 - In USA was found first dinosaur trackway.In UK bones of Iguanodon are found.

1822 - Megalosaurus is named.

1824 - Iguanodon is named.

Appearing

Dinosaurs appeared 230 million years ago.Their ancestors were crocodile-like, and walked on 4 legs (they were quadrupedal).Some dinosaurs,howewer, were two-legged (bipedal).

Interesting discoveries

1968 John Ostrom finds 4 Deinonychus near the Tenontosaurus(Deinonychus is a predator).

Deinonychus

1915;1927 The largest land dinosaurs-carnivores are discovered :Spinosaurus(18 metres;20-25 tonns);Carcharodontosaurus(16 metres;8-9 tonns).

Facts

1. What is the largest dinosaur?Amphicoelias(60 metres)
2. What is the smallest dinosaur?Microraptor(30 cm)
3. The fastest dinosaur is Dromiceomimus (65kph)

Educational films

• "Jurassic Fight Club"
• "Walking with dinosaurs"
• "Animal armaggedon'

See also

• What killed the dinosaurs
• Wikijunior:Dinosaurs (Wikibooks)
• Dinosaur (Wikipedia)
• Dinosaur (Simple Wikipedia)
• Major questions (Wikibooks)

External links

• Dinosaur learning activities (Google search)
• The open dinosaur project
• http://www.paleodirect.com/dino.htm (Photos of dinosaur fossils)