World of Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs appeared about 230 million years ago during the Triassic Period.
They thrived for over 165 million years across the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous Periods.
Types of Dinosaurs:
- Herbivores (plant-eaters) like the Brachiosaurus and Triceratops.
- Carnivores (meat-eaters) like the Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor.
Evolution: Birds, the descendants of small theropod dinosaurs, survived and evolved.
Extinction Theory
The extinction of the dinosaurs, known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction, was triggered by a catastrophic asteroid impact that reshaped life on Earth 66 million years ago.
A massive asteroid (about 10-15 km wide) struck Earth near the Yucatán Peninsula, forming the Chicxulub Crater.
The impact caused:
- Massive fires and shockwaves.
- Dust and debris blocked sunlight, leading to a drastic drop in global temperatures.
- Acid rain and volcanic activity worsened the conditions.
This event wiped out around 75% of life on Earth, including all non-avian dinosaurs.
Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about dinosaurs:
- Tyrannosaurus rex had a bite force of up to 12,800 pounds—stronger than any living animal today!
- The closest living relatives of dinosaurs are birds, not reptiles!
- The name “dinosaur” means “terrible lizard,” but they were not actual lizards.
- Fossils of dinosaur footprints have been found on every continent, even Antarctica!
Review
Let’s quickly recap what we learned about dinosaurs:
- What period did dinosaurs first appear? Triassic
- What caused the extinction of dinosaurs? Asteroid
- How long did dinosaurs dominate Earth? 165 Million Years
- Which modern animals are descendants of dinosaurs? Birds
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