Types of Dinosaurs
Want to know the difference between Therizinosaurus and Velociraptor? Here are descriptions of the major genuses of dinosaurs (as well as flying and swimming reptiles) that lived tens of millions of years ago, including their habitats, their favorite foods, and what set them apart from other dinos.
Dinosaurs A to Z
An A-Z list of every dinosaur that ever lived, including herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs, avian and aquatic reptiles, and the primitive reptiles that preceded the dinosaurs. This list is constantly being updated, so check back again if you don't see your favorite!
An A-Z list of every dinosaur that ever lived, including herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs, avian and aquatic reptiles, and the primitive reptiles that preceded the dinosaurs. This list is constantly being updated, so check back again if you don't see your favorite!
Ceratopsians: The Horned, Frilled Dinosaurs
Probably the oddest-looking dinosaurs that ever lived, ceratopsians--"horned faces"--included such familiar herbivores as Triceratops and Pentaceratops. Here's a look at how paleontologists define ceratopsians, along with links to a dozen representative genuses.
Probably the oddest-looking dinosaurs that ever lived, ceratopsians--"horned faces"--included such familiar herbivores as Triceratops and Pentaceratops. Here's a look at how paleontologists define ceratopsians, along with links to a dozen representative genuses.
Raptors: The Bird-Like Carnivores of the Late Cretaceous
Among the most feared predators of prehistoric times, raptors (also known as dromaeosaurs) were closely related to modern birds. Here's a look at how paleontologists classify raptors, as well as profiles of the most well-known genuses ranging from Achillobator to Utahraptor.
Among the most feared predators of prehistoric times, raptors (also known as dromaeosaurs) were closely related to modern birds. Here's a look at how paleontologists classify raptors, as well as profiles of the most well-known genuses ranging from Achillobator to Utahraptor.
Tyrannosaurs: The Most Dangerous Dinosaurs
Tyrannosaurs (technically known as "tyrannosaurids") were the killing machines of the Cretaceous period: these huge, powerful beasts were all legs, trunk and teeth, and they preyed relentlessly on smaller, herbivorous dinosaurs. Here’s a look at how paleontologists classify tyrannosaurs, as well as profiles of the most notable genuses, ranging from T. Rex to Guanlong.
Tyrannosaurs (technically known as "tyrannosaurids") were the killing machines of the Cretaceous period: these huge, powerful beasts were all legs, trunk and teeth, and they preyed relentlessly on smaller, herbivorous dinosaurs. Here’s a look at how paleontologists classify tyrannosaurs, as well as profiles of the most notable genuses, ranging from T. Rex to Guanlong.
Crocodiles: The Ancient Cousins of the Dinosaurs
Toward the end of the Triassic period 200 million years ago, the archosaurs ("ruling lizards") started to branch off into three major groups: the dinosaurs, the pterosaurs, and the crocodiles. Here's an overview of the crocodiles that lived alongside dinosaurs, as well as profiles of genuses ranging from Bernissartia to Stomatosuchus.
Toward the end of the Triassic period 200 million years ago, the archosaurs ("ruling lizards") started to branch off into three major groups: the dinosaurs, the pterosaurs, and the crocodiles. Here's an overview of the crocodiles that lived alongside dinosaurs, as well as profiles of genuses ranging from Bernissartia to Stomatosuchus.
Before the Dinosaurs: Pelycosaurs, Archosaurs, and Therapsids
Dinosaurs weren’t the first four-legged creatures to prosper on land. The Carboniferous and Permian periods witnessed a large variety of "primitive" terrestrial reptiles--many of which had surprisingly advanced features.
Dinosaurs weren’t the first four-legged creatures to prosper on land. The Carboniferous and Permian periods witnessed a large variety of "primitive" terrestrial reptiles--many of which had surprisingly advanced features.
Plesiosaurs and Pliosaurs: The "Sea Serpents"
During the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, the earth's oceans, lakes and rivers were filled by large, agile reptiles, called plesiosaurs and pliosaurs, that looked uncannily like sea serpents. Here's an overview of the evolution, behavior and characteristics of these fearsome creatures, along with a list of genuses ranging from Aristonectes to Woolungasaurus.
During the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, the earth's oceans, lakes and rivers were filled by large, agile reptiles, called plesiosaurs and pliosaurs, that looked uncannily like sea serpents. Here's an overview of the evolution, behavior and characteristics of these fearsome creatures, along with a list of genuses ranging from Aristonectes to Woolungasaurus.
Pterosaurs: The Flying Reptiles
Though they weren't technically dinosaurs, pterosaurs ("winged lizards") ruled the skies of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods at the same time as their terrestrial cousins dominated the land. Here's a look at pterosaur evolution, behavior and physiology, along with a list of genuses ranging from Anurognathus to Zhejiangopterus.
Though they weren't technically dinosaurs, pterosaurs ("winged lizards") ruled the skies of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods at the same time as their terrestrial cousins dominated the land. Here's a look at pterosaur evolution, behavior and physiology, along with a list of genuses ranging from Anurognathus to Zhejiangopterus.
Ankylosaurs: The Armored Dinosaurs
Ankylosaurs were among the last dinosaurs standing 65 million years ago, and with good reason: these otherwise gentle herbivores were the Cretaceous equivalent of Sherman tanks, complete with armor plating, sharp spikes and heavy clubs. Here's a look at how paleontologists classify ankylosaurs, as well as profiles of genuses ranging from Acanthopholis to Tarchia.
Ankylosaurs were among the last dinosaurs standing 65 million years ago, and with good reason: these otherwise gentle herbivores were the Cretaceous equivalent of Sherman tanks, complete with armor plating, sharp spikes and heavy clubs. Here's a look at how paleontologists classify ankylosaurs, as well as profiles of genuses ranging from Acanthopholis to Tarchia.
Ichthyosaurs: The "Fish Lizards"
Although they weren't technically dinosaurs, ichthyosaurs ("fish lizards") ruled the Triassic and Jurassic oceans in much the same way tyrannosaurs ruled the continents. Here's a look at how paleontologists classify these sleek predators, along with profiles of genuses ranging from Californosaurus to Utatsusaurus.
Although they weren't technically dinosaurs, ichthyosaurs ("fish lizards") ruled the Triassic and Jurassic oceans in much the same way tyrannosaurs ruled the continents. Here's a look at how paleontologists classify these sleek predators, along with profiles of genuses ranging from Californosaurus to Utatsusaurus.
Pachycephalosaurs: The Bone-Headed Dinosaurs
Twenty million years before the dinosaurs went extinct, a strange new breed evolved: medium-sized, four-legged herbivores with unusually thick skulls. Here's a look at current thinking about pachycephalosaurs ("thick-headed lizards"), as well as links to profiles of genuses ranging from Colepiocephale (Greek for "knucklehead") to Wannanosaurus.
Twenty million years before the dinosaurs went extinct, a strange new breed evolved: medium-sized, four-legged herbivores with unusually thick skulls. Here's a look at current thinking about pachycephalosaurs ("thick-headed lizards"), as well as links to profiles of genuses ranging from Colepiocephale (Greek for "knucklehead") to Wannanosaurus.
Hadrosaurs: The Duck-Billed Dinosaurs
Among the last--and most common--dinosaurs to roam the earth, hadrosaurs were large, low-slung plant eaters with tough beaks on their snouts to dig out vegetation. Here’s a look at how paleontologists classify these duck-billed herbivores, as well as a list of the most notable genuses, ranging from Anatotitan to Telmatosaurus.
Among the last--and most common--dinosaurs to roam the earth, hadrosaurs were large, low-slung plant eaters with tough beaks on their snouts to dig out vegetation. Here’s a look at how paleontologists classify these duck-billed herbivores, as well as a list of the most notable genuses, ranging from Anatotitan to Telmatosaurus.
Sauropods: The Biggest Dinosaurs that Ever Lived
The sauropods were the true giants of the dinosaur family; some of them attained lengths of 100 feet and weights of 100 tons. Here's a brief overview of what makes a sauropod a sauropod, as well as an alphabetical list of sauropods ranging from Apatosaurus to Vulcanodon.
The sauropods were the true giants of the dinosaur family; some of them attained lengths of 100 feet and weights of 100 tons. Here's a brief overview of what makes a sauropod a sauropod, as well as an alphabetical list of sauropods ranging from Apatosaurus to Vulcanodon.
The Five Biggest Dinosaurs
Want to know how much Argentinosaurus weighed, or the wingspan of Quetzalcoatlus? Read this short list to find out.
Want to know how much Argentinosaurus weighed, or the wingspan of Quetzalcoatlus? Read this short list to find out.
A Brief History of T. Rex
How do we know what we know about T. Rex? Here's a timeline of the pertinent fossil discoveries.
How do we know what we know about T. Rex? Here's a timeline of the pertinent fossil discoveries.
The Five Smallest Dinosaurs
Not all dinosaurs were as big as houses--some were as small as wiener dogs, or even smaller. Here's a list of the five most diminutive dinos (plus a couple of aquatic and avian reptiles for good measure).
Not all dinosaurs were as big as houses--some were as small as wiener dogs, or even smaller. Here's a list of the five most diminutive dinos (plus a couple of aquatic and avian reptiles for good measure).
The Five Most Misunderstood Dinosaurs
Some dinosaurs just don't get a fair break--either from paleontologists or the general public. Here's a list of five lizards whose reputations need a major makeover.
Some dinosaurs just don't get a fair break--either from paleontologists or the general public. Here's a list of five lizards whose reputations need a major makeover.