Stories about dinosaurs for kids
Best Dinosaur Books for Kids, as Chosen by Educators
The awesomeness of dinosaur books for kids is no secret. Dinosaur fiction stories capture kids’ imagination and make for great read alouds. Dino information books naturally inspire future scientists. Check out this list of our favorites from both genres.
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
Dino-rrific Fiction Dinosaur Books for Kids
1. Dinosaurs on the Go series by Penny Dale (pre-K–1)
This series merges dinosaurs and other high-interest topics. Think farm vehicles, space exploration, construction, emergency rescue vehicles, pirate treasure, and more. We love them for working on print concepts and phonological awareness. They’re also perfect for practice making inferences using pictures.
2. We Love Dinosaurs by Lucy Volpin (pre-K–1)
This rhyming text professes its love for dinosaurs of all shapes, sizes, and habits. We love all the descriptive vocabulary!
3. How Do Dinosaurs … series by Jane Yolen (pre-K–1)
This classic series has withstood the test of time. We love these titles for modeling visualization, reading with expression, and attending to punctuation. Plus, they’re full of important themes!
4. The Girl and the Dinosaur by Hollie Hughes (pre-K–1)
Digging up a dinosaur skeleton is an amazing possibility to imagine. Having that skeleton come to life and become your pet dinosaur? Magical. This is one of our favorite new dinosaur books for kids, for sure.
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5. How to Catch a Dinosaur by Adam Wallace (pre-K-1)
This installment of a popular series mixes imaginative fiction with some facts. A light and fun read aloud.
6. Brontorina by James Howe (pre-K–2)
Brontorina Apatosaurus is desperate to dance. But, her size—and others’ doubts—make it seem impossible. Perseverance and others’ kindness help her wish come true.
7. Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman (pre-K–2)
Tiny T. Rex just wants to find a way to give his sad friend a hug, despite his short arms. This story of persistence, acceptance, and friendship could spark many important classroom discussions.
8. There’s a Dinosaur on the 13th Floor by Wade Bradford (pre-K-2)
This funny tale follows Mr. Snore on his floor-by-floor search for a quiet room at the Sharemore Hotel. We don’t meet the dino from the title until the end, but she exemplifies everything the hotel’s name suggests.
9. What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night: A Very Messy Adventure by Refe and Susan Tuma (pre-K–2)
What kind of mischief would toy dinosaurs get into if they came alive at night? The photos in this book show the havoc they could cause. Maybe you’ll even bring the authors’ Dinovember, a month-long tribute to childhood wonder, to your classroom.
10. Dino Sports series by Lisa Wheeler (pre-K–2)
Carnivores and herbivores compete in a wide variety of sports. Kids love these rhyming titles. Brush up on your dinosaur names and your sports terminology before reading aloud!
11. Dino Holidays series by Lisa Wheeler (pre-K–2)
If you love the Dino Sports books, you’ll love sharing some of the holiday-themed titles too.
12. Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap (pre-K–2)
Crunch wants a new friend, but he’s not the easiest brontosaurus to get to know. Start a class discussion about meeting new friends where they are.
13. Dinosaurs Can’t Roar! by Layla Beason (pre-K-3)
When a T. Rex meets a modern-day paleontologist, he’s surprised to hear the latest science on dinos. We love this title for talking to kids about myths vs. new scientific learning.
14. Dad and the Dinosaur by Gennifer Choldenko (pre-K-3)
Nicholas’s favorite dinosaur is a lot more than a toy. It helps him be fearless and strong, just like he imagines the real dinosaurs were. When it gets lost, his dad knows just what he needs. This is a heartwarming story about what it means to be brave.
15. The Dinosaur Expert by Margaret McNamara (K–3)
Superstar teacher Mr. Tiffin is back! (Should we set him up with Ms. Frizzle?) This time he’s taking his class to the natural history museum. Budding paleontologist Kimmy feels dismayed by the male-dominated examples at the museum. When Mr. Tiffin points out a profile of Dr. Brandoni de Gasparini, her outlook changes. Back matter includes information about notable female paleontologists.
16. Mad Scientist Academy: The Dinosaur Disaster by Matthew McElligott (2–4)
Dr. Cosmic is not the average teacher! Students must make their way through a realistic dinosaur exhibit to find the class pet, Oscar the “dinosaur.”
17. Dinosaur Empire (The Earth Before Us #1): Journey Through the Mesozoic Era by Abby Howard (3–5)
This exciting graphic novel series opener stars Ronnie, a reluctant science student. She goes on an enlightening journey back in time with her retired paleontologist neighbor, Ms. Lernin.
18. Dinosaur Boy by Cory Putman Oakes (3-6)
Yikes! Fifth grader Sawyer Bronson grows stegosaurus spikes and a tail over summer break. With themes of bullying, integrity, and identity (plus dinosaur facts), this novel is for kids who like a fast-moving, twisting plot. Also check out the companion title, Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars.
Nonfiction Dinosaur Books for Kids to “Dig” Right Into
19. Dinosaur A to Z by Roger Priddy (pre-K–1)
Besides 26+ pages of fascinating dinosaur info, this is a fantastic mentor text for writing informational alphabet books. It introduces one dinosaur for each letter of the alphabet. It also has informational text features like labels, size comparisons, pronunciation guides, and bolded text sprinkled throughout.
20. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Dinosaurs by Catherine D. Hughes (pre-K–2)
In this title, dinosaurs are organized by size, prompting plenty of great conversations about comparisons. This is the perfect series for introducing informational text features, too.
21. Dinosaur Feathers by Dennis Nolan (pre-K-3)
This rhyming book has a big idea: Dinosaurs and birds are related! It’s perfect for working with kids on generating questions and determining the author’s message in informational text. (Plus, you’ll get a phonics workout pronouncing all those species names!)
22. Fly Guy Presents: Dinosaurs by Tedd Arnold (K–3)
The popular early reader character duo will draw kids in, and this spinoff series packs plenty of memorable information. We like how it dispels some common myths about dinosaurs.
23. Prehistoric Actual Size by Steve Jenkins (K–4)
We adore this title and its non-paleontological companion, Actual Size. The true-to-life illustrations of dinosaur parts—and one entire dinosaur—make a memorable impression. It’s also good for helping kids understand that dinosaurs weren’t the only prehistoric creatures.
24. Dinosaurs (National Geographic Kids Reader) by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (K–2)
Standard nonfiction features mixed plus jokes and other extras. A conversational tone walks new readers through key questions.
25. In the Past by David Elliott (1–5)
Take a trip back through the ages with these witty creature poems. There are familiar players, like T. rex, and plenty of lesser-known species, too. The illustrations are breathtaking.
26. Science Comics: Dinosaurs: Fossils and Feathers by MK Reed (3–6)
This graphic nonfiction book covers the history of paleontology like it’s never been presented before. Riveting!
27. Dinosaurs: A Visual Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition by DK (3 and up)
This is not your dusty Encyclopedia Britannica. Learn about prehistoric life from dinosaurs and birds to early mammals, invertebrates, and vertebrates.
28. The Age of Dinosaurs: The Rise and Fall of the World’s Most Remarkable Animals by Steve Brusatte (3 and up)
For serious dino buffs who want the real scoop on the latest discoveries. This is an up-to-date resource from an expert in the field.
Can’t wait to share these dinosaur books for kids? Also check out our favorite dog books and books about space.
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10 Short Dinosaur Bedtime Stories for Kids Online
Dinosaur Bedtime Stories for Kids Online – Read amazing and interesting dinosaur stories. These stories are written for kids. They can enjoy these stories at any time. So, enjoy these stories.
If you want to read this in Hindi then follow this link – Dinosaur Stories in Hindi.
Saving The Jungle – T-Rex Dinosaur Story for Kids
Tyrannosaurus rex is a popular dinosaur because this dinosaur has been used many times in films. In this story, we will see how millions of years ago the animals of the forest saved everyone from Tyrannosaurus rex. It is an imaginary story for kids.
Saving The Jungle – T-Rex Dinosaur Story for Kids VideoMillions of years ago, the jungle’s animals were greatly disturbed by Tyrannosaurus rex, a ferocious dinosaur. This dinosaur was very ferocious and would eat three to four animals in the forest at once. Sometimes 4 to 5 dinosaurs came together in the jungle to fill their stomach and kill many animals.
Read more stories – Stories for kids’ bedtime
Seeing this, the animals of the forest were troubled. They had to face this problem in the coming days. Many times these dinosaurs would also destroy their house.
One day Lion, the king of the forest called a gathering. At that gathering, everyone was going to solve how the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex can be avoided and they can prevent themselves from T-rex. The animals came to the Lion for the gathering. The Lion started the gathering with a strong roar. Lion asked the most, “What to do so that we can prevent ourselves from that dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex?”
The monkey sitting in the assembly said, “I will leap and grab his neck and then he will not be able to eat us.” Everyone mocked him and said, “Are you mad? Have you seen yourself and his body? He is much bigger than you, he will crush you easily. ”
The monkey said, “You don’t know me. I am very powerful. If you don’t believe it, try it.” Biting the monkey’s point, the fox said, “What strength will you show? We must defeat him by using brains, not with force.”
The Lion saw the truth in the fox talk. The lion asked, “Well, tell me what would we have to do?” The fox said, “For this, we have to enlist the help of the eagle and the hawk.” Hearing this, both of them came forward and said, “We both are ready. What is the matter to do? We will give up our lives for this jungle.”
After this, the fox told everyone his plan. Now everyone was ready. Everyone was waiting for when that dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex would arrive.
This happened a few days later. That ferocious dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex came and attacked the forest. But this time everyone was ready. As soon as he arrives, the hawk and eagle attack the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex in the eye.
The dinosaur could not see properly after the attack. Then immediately the monkeys tied his leg with a rope and the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex fell to the ground. The animals of the jungle attacked him and the dinosaur shouted, “Let me go. Don’t kill me.”
Everyone said, “Well what you did to our people. What about that? Your punishment is that you can no longer be saved.” The dinosaur said, “If you kill me, my companions will come in search of me and bring tremendous destruction here.”
The animals did not listen to him and the king of the forest, The Lion, attacked him directly on the neck. This led to the end of the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex. Everyone was happy to see the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex dead. Now it was time to celebrate. People were very happy in the forest. Everyone enjoyed the party with fun.
Now everyone was happy in the forest, no one attacked there for a long time. But everyone remembered the warning of the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex.
Time was spent and one day suddenly 5 dinosaurs attacked in the forest together. Everyone got scared in the whole jungle. All the animals started hiding in small caves and tunnels waiting for where the dinosaurs would go from there.
After waiting for a long time, suddenly huge fireballs started raining from the sky. That fireball killed all the dinosaurs.
There are no dinosaurs left in the forest anymore. All the animals came out and started living happily. Now everything was fine in the forest.
Also, Read – Best Brain Development Toys For Kids.
I am a Dinosaur – A Funny Dinosaur Story For Kids
Dinosaur Bedtime Stories for Kids OnlineLong Neck Charlie – The Good Long Neck Dinosaur Story For Kids
Years ago there were various dinosaurs. Some of them ate meat and some lived by eating leaves. In this story, we will talk about a dinosaur whose neck was very long. And such dinosaurs are called Sauropods. So let’s know what happens in this children’s story.
For millions of years, dinosaurs used to live on this earth. There used to be different kinds of animals. But here we are talking about Charlie, whose neck was very long. Charlie was very upset about this. One day Charlie is invited by his friends to their house party.
Charlie was overjoyed to hear the news of the party and spent the whole day getting ready for the party. He was dressed in a black coat and a tie around his neck.
Charlie headed out to his friend’s house dancing and humming the song. Now he reached his friend’s house. However, he could not enter the house because Charlie’s neck was too long. This started making fun of him. Hearing everyone, Charlie became sad and left the party.
Charlie walked towards the forest in a sad way and fell asleep beside a tree.
It was early morning and the rays of the sun began to fall on Charlie’s eyes. Because of this, his eyes were opened. As soon as he woke up from sleep, he listened to the crying of someone. Hearing the sound of crying Charlie started looking around but he did not see him crying.
Charlie calls out, “Who’s crying?”
“This is me, I have to cry like this every day”
“But why are you not seeing me?” Charlie then asked the question.
Then that voice said to look down here.
Then Charlie looked down and saw a small plant talking to him. Charlie asked the plant, “Why are you crying?”
The small plant said, “I am too small, the sunlight does not reach me, due to which I cannot make my food. There are big trees above me, they would stop the sunlight from reaching me. Because of this, I am crying out the upset. “
“If I do not get sunlight like this, then I will not be able to grow properly. Now you tell me what to do. Apart from me, there are small trees that do not get sunlight and because of that they are also upset.” Plant told Charlie.
Charlie thought for a long time, about what to do so that the sunlight reaches small plants. After thinking for a long time, he thought why don’t I eat the leaves of these big trees so that light will reach the small plants?
This is what Charlie did. Charlie slowly started eating the leaves of big trees. But he did not eat all the leaves. Otherwise, how do big trees make their food?
After eating the leaves, the sunlight started reaching the bottom and small plants also started taking advantage of the sunlight.
After getting light, small plants started cooking their food and they all became happy. After being happy, they thanked Charlie and considered him his hero.
After seeing all this, Charlie became very happy, and forgetting about the previous night, he started living happily. Now he was happy.
It is not necessarily that bad things will happen every day and good things will happen every day. We must accept that good and bad events will happen in life. But what matters is how we respond at that time.
Also, Read – Best Brain Development Toys For Kids.
Why Put Foil On A Doorknob When Alone?
The Little Dino – Dinosaur Story For Kids
Dinosaur Bedtime Stories for Kids OnlineA Paleontologist
Once upon a time, there was a little boy who loved dinosaurs. Every night before bed, he would read about all the different kinds of dinosaurs and imagine what it would be like to meet them. One night, he had a dream that he was a T-rex and was chasing after some cars. He woke up feeling excited and happy and decided that he wanted to learn more about dinosaurs.
He started reading books about dinosaurs every day and even began drawing them himself. One day, he saw a documentary about dinosaurs on TV and learned that they were actually really smart animals. That made him even more interested in them and he continued learning everything he could about them.
Eventually, the little boy grew up and became a paleontologist. He studied dinosaurs for years and traveled all over the world to find new fossils. But no matter where he went or how much he learned, he always remembered his first love: the dinosaurs.
The Dream
Once upon a time, there was a happy little dinosaur who went to bed every night with a smile on his face. His mom and dad would tuck him in tight, give him a goodnight kiss, and turn off the light. And every single night, the little dinosaur would drift off to sleep with dreams of dinosaurs dancing in his head.
One night, however, the little dinosaur had a very strange dream. He dreamt that he was walking through a dark forest when he suddenly came face-to-face with a massive T-Rex! The T-Rex was so big and fierce that the little dinosaur was terrified. He tried to run away, but the T-Rex chased after him and began to gobble him up!
Just when it seemed like the little dinosaur was going to be eaten alive, he woke up with a start. He quickly realized that it was just a dream and that there was nothing to be scared of. He smiled and went back to sleep, safe and sound.
Sleeping Next to a T-Rex
The little boy’s favorite dinosaur was always watching over him while he slept. One night, the little boy had a dream that he was sleeping next to a T-Rex. The T-Rex was so big and powerful that it scared the little boy awake. But the little boy was happy to know that even though the T-Rex was scary, he was also very friendly. And so the little boy went back to bed, feeling safe and sound knowing that his favorite dinosaur was watching over him while he slept.
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Dinosaur Bedtime Stories for Kids OnlineThank you for reading this “Dinosaur Bedtime Stories for Kids” if you like it then share your feedback in the comment section.
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Dinosaurs for kids - interesting facts about dinosaurs
It is inexplicable but true: many children love dinosaurs. Perhaps because these are semi-fabulous giant creatures and they no longer frighten at all, since they have long since died out. What is known about dinosaurs: what were they like, when and how long did they live, what did they eat and why did they disappear from the face of the Earth? So, in order.
Who are dinosaurs and what did they look like?
"Dinosaur" is translated from Greek as "terrible lizard". These are scaly creatures that walked on two or four legs and laid eggs. Dinosaurs lived on the planet for 160 million years. They lived everywhere: from Asia to Antarctica. The remains of dinosaurs were also found in Russia - in the Urals, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in Yakutia. nine0003
Before them, more than 4 billion years ago, the Earth was inhabited by more primitive organisms: algae, mollusks, later - fish.
In total, scientists have studied more than a thousand species of dinosaurs. They were very different from each other: some - with sharp claws and spikes on the body, others - with horns.
Many people mistakenly think that all dinosaurs were huge. Indeed, some reached the size of a five-story building, but there were also tiny ones - the size of a chicken. It is customary to depict dinosaurs as gray or green, but in fact, scientists do not know exactly what color these creatures were. This is because dinosaur skin is extremely rare. It is believed that their color merged with the colors of the environment - so it would be easier for dinosaurs to hide from enemies. nine0003
Dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago. The fact that they once existed, it became known only in the 17th century. Dinosaur bones were first discovered by English scientist Robert Plot in 1677.
Why did dinosaurs become extinct?
Science does not know. There are several versions. The most common: the climate is no longer suitable for dinosaurs (became too cold or hot) or volcanic eruptions have poisoned the atmosphere.
What did dinosaurs eat?
Despite their formidable appearance, many of them were not predators - they ate ferns, leaves, cones, flowers and fruits from trees. In those days, the Earth was humid and hot and favorable conditions were created for the growth of numerous plants, so that herbivores did not have to starve. nine0003
But there were also carnivorous dinosaurs, who hunted animals and ate their eggs. Some of them could not chew and swallowed stones so that the food itself was ground in the stomach.
The main task of dinosaurs was to get food and at the same time protect themselves from predators. Herbivores defended themselves with horns and spikes, carnivores had teeth and claws.
How long did dinosaurs live?
There is no exact answer to this question either. Scientists think that large dinosaurs lived for a relatively long time - up to 300 years, and small ones - up to about 20.
In any case, even long-lived dinosaurs did not catch the appearance of man on the planet: people began to inhabit the Earth only 64 million years after their extinction.
Who studies dinosaurs and how?
This is done by paleontologists - people who specialize in studying the remains of extinct organisms. They work both in excavations - in places where fossils were found - and in laboratories. These scientists search, extract from the ground, and then carefully study the bones of ancient animals. nine0003
In laboratories, paleontologists find out how the creatures that own the found bones lived and hunted, and determine their age. Sometimes conclusions have to be drawn with only a couple of bones, or even one at all.
In addition, specialists make copies of bones, from which skeletons are then assembled and exhibited in museums.
Paleontologists also study fossilized footprints left by dinosaurs. To understand what kind of animal left the footprint, scientists find out the “age” of the rock where they found this print, and compare the shape of the fingers and feet with the appearance of the dinosaurs that lived in that era. nine0003
Paleontologists give names to dinosaur species, often based on the name of the area where the bones were found.
What types of dinosaurs are there?
As already noted, there are more than a thousand species. Let's take a closer look at the most famous ones.
Tyrannosaurus Rex
One of the largest predators of all time. He walked on two legs with two clawed toes on each, had a large skull and a long heavy tail, teeth the size of bananas.
Some scientists believe that the Tyrannosaurus rex could not run and was clumsy, so it did not hunt, but ate only dead animals. However, the more common view is that these dinosaurs were both predators and scavengers, stealing prey from others whenever possible. Tyrannosaurus was able to eat up to 150 kilograms of meat in one sitting, but then starve for several days. nine0003
The skeleton of the largest tyrannosaurus rex was found in 1991 in the province of Canada. The length of the skeleton reached 13 meters, weight - almost 9 tons.
Ichthyosaurus
These are aquatic dinosaurs that look like dolphins: head fused with the body, very large eyes, fins. There are many teeth in the mouth. Ichthyosaurs weighed mainly up to 2 tons, reached several meters in length. Although species are known, the length of which reached 24 meters, and body weight - 40 tons.
The first ichthyosaur was found in Russia in 1821, while the largest accumulation of dinosaur bones of this species was found in Germany. nine0003
Ichthyosaurs were carnivorous - they ate fish and shellfish and hunted in packs. The cubs were born in the water and immediately knew how to swim. Ichthyosaurs did not go to land.
Stegosaurus
Distinctive feature - bone plates and spikes on the back and tail (to protect against attacks). These dinosaurs walked on four legs. They ate only tender leaves, because they had poorly developed jaws. Stegosaurus teeth were almost unsuitable for chewing. In order to assimilate even delicate plant food, the stegosaurus was forced to swallow stones - they frayed the plants in its stomach. nine0003
Stegosaurus reached 9 meters in length and weighed up to 9 tons - about the size of an elephant. The bones of these dinosaurs were first found in the United States in 1877.
Triceratops
Distinctive feature - three horns (one at the tip of the nose, two - above the eyes), bone "collars" on the head and a beak on the muzzle. "Collars" served to protect the head and shoulders, males scared off enemies with their horns and fought, including for females in the mating season, and cut branches of shrubs and ferns with their beaks.
Outwardly, Triceratops are similar to rhinos, only larger - up to 3 meters in height and 9 in length, with an average weight of about 12 tons. Only the head reached a length of 2 meters. These dinosaurs had several hundred teeth in their mouths.
They ate plants, moved on four thick legs, lived in small groups.
Triceratops are one of the last dinosaurs on Earth. And their bones were first found in the United States in 1899.
Diplodocus
The most tailed dinosaur - with its 11-meter thin tail it drove away predators. And he also had a long neck, a small head with big eyes and long teeth, four paws. In length reached 30 meters. nine0003
Diplodocus ate plant foods. To cut off tall trees, they stood on their hind legs. And they also swallowed stones.
Diplodocus were herd animals, swam well and preferred to live in swamps - they came out on land only to eat and lay eggs.
Diplodocus lived on the territory of modern North America. Fossilized dinosaur vertebrae of this species were first found in the USA (Colorado) in 1877.
Velociraptor
These tiny, turkey-like creatures, by dinosaur standards, were about 1.80 centimeters long and weighed just 20 kilograms like a child. Velociraptor bones were first found in the Gobi Desert (Mongolia) at 1924 year.
It is not known exactly what these dinosaurs looked like: they were previously depicted as lizard-like, with green scaly skin, now it is believed that they had plumage like birds. Some even suggest that the feathers were multicolored. Surely scientists know that the Velociraptor had three fingers with sharp claws on the front limbs and four on the back.
Despite their modest size, velociraptors were dangerous and agile predators. They jumped on the victim, grabbed with their teeth and stuck their claws into it, inflicting mortal wounds. nine0003
Velociraptors became "trendy" after the 1993 Jurassic Park movie. By the way, there they look huge and hunt in packs. Both are inventions.
Pterodactyl
Many consider pterodactyls to be dinosaurs, and they are wrong. Pterodactyls are pterosaurs, or winged lizards, relatives of dinosaurs. Unlike dinosaurs, pterodactyls could fly. Of modern animals, they were similar in appearance and habits to birds and bats.
The forelimbs of pterodactyls turned into wings (span reached 8 meters), the body was covered with fur. Some had a tail, not all had teeth. Pterodactyls were distinguished by long clawed limbs. nine0003
These pangolins lived like modern birds: in flocks, they flew during the day and looked for food, at night they slept upside down, clinging to tree branches.
The method of subsistence depended on the size of the pterodactyl. Small ones, the size of a crow, ate insects, larger ones - fish and lizards. Some pterodactyls were two meters long and one and a half meters high and weighed more than 75 kilograms.
It is believed that pterodactyls had a good brain and had excellent eyesight. They lived in the territories of the USA, East Africa, Western Europe, Australia, Russia. Their bones were first found in Bavaria (Germany) in 1784. nine0003
Other "prominent" dinosaurs
Largest : seismosaurus. It weighed over 50 tons and reached 36 meters in length. Found in what is now the United States.
The heaviest : titanosaur (up to 80 tons!)
The smallest : compsognathus. Its average length was only 60–100 cm, and its weight was about 2 kilograms, but this baby had more than 60 sharp teeth. Found in what is now Germany.
The very first : of those currently explored, either Herrerosaurus or Eoraptor. Both bipeds lived approximately 230-225 million years ago.
The longest necked : according to modern data, this is a Mamenchisaurus. Its neck reached 14 meters in length.
The fastest : Ornithomemmosaurus. He ran at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour.
The most big-eyed : Dromiceiomyom. His eyes were on the sides of his head. Thus, this dinosaur created an excellent overview - and an advantage over enemies. nine0003
The most toothy : Hadrosaurus. He had 980 teeth!
The "longest-named" : micropachycephalosaurus (meaning "small fat-headed lizard"). Most often, his bones are found in China.
Possibly the smartest : troodon. His brain was the size of a bird—comparatively large. Most dinosaurs had small brains, about the size of a walnut.
Interesting facts about dinosaurs
- The closest living relative of dinosaurs is the crocodile. Birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs. nine0178
- The first dinosaurs were small. Larger ones appeared much later. In addition, the first dinosaurs were predators.
- Dinosaurs are believed to have excellent eyesight and a good sense of smell. They had large eye sockets and nostrils and large areas of the brain responsible for sight and smell.
- Some dinosaurs built nests. But not for life, of course, but for laying eggs. Scientists do not rule out that small dinosaurs could sometimes hide in caves. nine0177 Experts still don't understand how dinosaurs slept. Perhaps herbivores are standing, and predators, which the structure of the skeleton allows, are lying down.
- Dinosaurs lived in an era when there were about 22 hours in a day. As you know, the rotation of the Earth is gradually slowing down.
- Dinosaurs were unknown in ancient China.
And their bones were considered the bones of dragons and used in medicine! One of the Indian tribes thought that these were the remains of the larger ancestors of the buffalo, and the British did not even rule out that these were the bones of giant people. Or, well, elephants. nine0178
- Dinosaurs did not have to wash themselves: the dried mud fell off the scales by itself or was thrown off along with them.
- Dinosaurs in search of food and places to live could migrate great distances - to entire continents.
- Huge dinosaur bones weren't as heavy as we think. Because most of them were hollow inside, like modern birds.
- Many dinosaurs went hunting at night.
- The largest dinosaur eggs were the size of a basketball. At a time, a dinosaur could lay from one to four dozen eggs. nine0178
- The very name "dinosaur" was born in the 19th century. In 1824, the president of the Royal Geological Society mentioned huge bones discovered in 1815 in Great Britain.
In the future, experts found other huge animal bones, and in 1842, biologist Richard Owen identified a suborder of "terrible lizards" (dinosaurs).
- A relatively new species of dinosaur was discovered in 2015. Because of the short horns above the eyes, this species was called "hellboy" (as a comic book hero).
- Most likely, the dinosaur is not the largest creature on Earth. The weight of a blue whale can reach 170 tons - this is more than the weight of even the largest dinosaur. nine0178
- In the state of Colorado (USA) there is a City of Dinosaurs. The streets there are named after different types of these ancient creatures.
What dinosaurs didn't do:
- didn't fly;
- did not live at sea;
- did not hibernate;
- did not sweat;
- did not have a couple for life;
- did not drop their tail like lizards;
- were not viviparous (at least, scientists do not know anything about this).