What are Dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs were prehistoric reptiles living on Earth nearly 220 million to 65 million years ago.   

Dinosaurs could walk upright, unlike other reptiles like crocodiles.

Several species of dinosaurs roamed our Earth.

Dinosaurs became extinct when an asteroid from space hit Earth.

Let’s learn more about some of the popular species and their characteristics.

Stegosaurus

Stegosaurus was a large, slow-moving dinosaur.

  • Diet: Herbivorous (eats only plants).
  • Body: It had plates on its skin, a powerful spiky tail, and walked on four legs.
  • Found In: USA

FUN FACT: The Stegosaurus had a tiny brain about the size of a walnut!

Velociraptor

Velociraptor was a small dinosaur that hunted in packs.

  • Diet: Carnivorous (eats other animals).
  • Body: It had 26 to 28 sharp pointed teeth on each jaw and walked on two legs.
  • Found In: Mongolia, Asia

FUN FACT: Velociraptors had fine feathers even though they could not fly. They might have used them to protect their eggs!

Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex)

T-Rex was one of the most fearsome animals of all time.

  • Diet: Carnivorous (eats other animals).
  • Body: It had 60 saw-edges, bone-crushing teeth, and walked on two legs.
  • Found In: Canada, USA

FUN FACT: T-Rex’s bite was three times as powerful as a lion’s.

Triceratops

Triceratops had an enormous skull and did not live in herds.

  • Diet: Herbivorous (eats plants).
  • Body: It had three horns and a parrot-like beak. It also had a spiky head plate and walked on four legs.
  • Found In: USA

FUN FACT: Triceratops had horns made of keratin, the same material that human nails are made of! 

Review

Let’s quickly recap what we learned about dinosaurs.

  • What type of an animal is a dinosaur? Reptile
  • What caused the dinosaurs to become extinct? Asteroid from space
  • Which dinosaur had a tiny brain the size of a walnut? Stegosaurus
  • Which dinosaur’s bite was three times as powerful as a lion’s? Tyrannosaurus Rex
  • Which dinosaur had three horns and a parrot-like beak? Triceratops
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