While it’s now common knowledge that some dinosaurs sported feathers and velociraptors were turkey-sized, here are five lesser-known dino-facts that might have slipped under your radar.
1. The Most Accurate Depiction
In 2011, we discovered one of the best-preserved dinosaur fossils in history. It belonged to the armored nodosaurid Bourealopelta markmitchelli.
When this dino died, it was washed out to sea and then buried in such a way that preserved its entire body, including its osteoderms (“spiky armor”) in their exact formation and with their keratin sheaths. Even the animal’s stomach contents have fossilized well, revealing a diet comprised mostly of ferns.
While studying its amazingly well-preserved hide, scientists discovered chemical traces of pheomelanin, the same pigment that gives redheads their red color. It’s now a certainty that this animal was reddish brown, with a darker shade on top and a lighter one on the bottom.
2. How a Cartoonist Named a Dinosaur Part
You might have heard about this fact, but it’s just too cool to omit. Cartoonist Gary Larson made a strip in which a caveman scientist described the spiked end tail of Stegosaurus as “the thagomizer, named after the late Thag Simmons.”
Real-life paleontologists realized they didn’t have a name for this part… so they started calling it the thagomizer.
3. We Are But a Heartbeat in the Life of Our Planet
As far as we know, Stegosaurus lived 155 million – 150 million years ago in the Jurassic period. Tyrannosaurus lived 83 million – 66 million years ago in the Cretaceous period.
The time separating Stegosaurus and late-stage Tyrannosaurus is greater than the time separating Tyrannosaurus and us.
This really makes you realize just how young our existence is, doesn’t it?
4. Birds Are Dinosaurs… and That’s Not All
Most people know birds are related to dinosaurs, but what many people miss is that modern birds evolved from theropods. They are direct descendants, and by the rules of taxonomy, birds are therefore classified as dinosaurs.
That’s not all. Birds belong to the larger group known as Sauropsida, which encompasses all modern reptiles. This means that birds aren’t only dinosaurs, they’re reptiles as well.
Not confused yet?
We’re all fish.
If we go back far enough in the evolutionary tree, all vertebrates share a common fish-like ancestor.
Now, have you ever read The Shadow over Innsmouth? I’m not saying there’s a connection… I’m just not saying there isn’t one.
5. Tyrannosaurus Couldn’t Roar
Studies of the nasal and throat structure of Tyrannosaurus suggest it was incapable of vocalizing a roar like we see in fiction. Instead, it’s more likely they made deep growling noises like alligators.
Honorable Mention: Dinosaur, Colorado (USA)
In Colorado, there lies a small town with the population of fewer than 300, which is called Dinosaur. If you ever find yourself in this town, you might come across streets with dinosaur-inspired names, such as Tyrannosaurus Trail, Allosaurus Lane, or Diplodocus Drive.
All right, hope you enjoyed the article and I’ll see you later. Have a wonderful day.