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A Dinosaur by Any Other Name…
By David H. Urmann

Dinosaurs roamed the earth millions of years ago. It is even believed that birds are descendants of these creatures. Learn more interesting facts about these extinct creatures.

Many of us, especially kids, are very curious about dinosaurs. We are always eager to know more about this life form that roamed the earth thousands of years ago. Here are some interesting facts about dinosaurs:

The Largest Dinosaur

According to studies from complete skeletons, the Brachiosaurus is the largest or heaviest and tallest dinosaur. They were about 40 feet tall and approximately 70 to 80 tons in weight. Further studies about other dinosaurs like the Seismosaurus, Supersaurus, Ultrasaurus, and Argentinosaurus are suggesting that the Brachiosaurus is not really the largest dinosaur. However, merely partial skeletons of these dinosaurs were discovered, making scientists uncertain if these are new species or they are also larger Brachiosaurus.

The Estimated Age of Dinosaurs

If scientists just base their calculations on fossil records, the age of dinosaurs cannot be guaranteed. Although there were studies on their teeth's growth rings, these were constantly replaced throughout the dinosaur's lifespan. Thus, when compared to modern large mammals and reptiles, scientists estimate that dinosaurs could have lived from about 50 up to 150 years.

The Smallest Dinosaur

Paleontologists noted that the smallest dinosaur was the Compsognathus. It was about the same size as a chicken. An adult Compsognathus could reach 2 feet in length, more attributed to its thin, long tail.

The Smartest Dinosaur

The Troodon had the largest brain out of all the species. This is in relation to its actual body size. This is why they are thought as the most intelligent amongst other dinosaurs. In fact, most paleontologists regard them as smarter than an ostrich, making it smarter than any living reptile on Earth now.

The Toughest Dinosaur

Contrary to belief that the toughest dinosaur was the Tyrannosaurus Rex, it is the Deinonychus. This is because the T-Rex is more like a scavenger than a ferocious hunter. This made the Deinonychus the meanest ad toughest dinosaur. It was merely 2.7 meter long, 1.5 meters tall and it weighed just like an average man. Despite their small size, they were noted as "the most extraordinary predators of all time." Due to its large serrated teeth, keen eyesight, great agility, grasping hands and sickle-shaped 5-inch long claws on every hind's foot, this dinosaur variety was a very ferocious enemy.

The Size of Dinosaur Eggs

Despite the size of dinosaurs, their eggs are quite small. In fact, the gigantic Sauropod's eggs are no bigger than volleyballs. One reason is the fact that a bigger egg entails thicker shells so that it will not collapse. A very thick shell can actually pose 2 big problems. The 1st problem is that it is too thick for the oxygen to permeate. This means, the embryos will not be able to breathe. The 2nd problem would be the fact that the shell will be too thick to be pushed by the hatchlings.

The Fastest Dinosaur

The Galliminus, which could travel about 35 mi per hour, is considered the fastest dinosaur. The Coelophysis ranks second at an estimated 25 mi per hour. The third in ranking is the T-Rex at 15 mi per hour.

The Strangest Dinosaur

The Ancient Wing or the Archaeopteryx was a small creature with feathers. It was similar to a chicken but it could fly. It is actually the 1st known bird, showcasing how birds are descendants of dinosaurs.

The Number of Dinosaur Types

At current, paleontologists and scientists note that there are about 440 types of dinosaurs that existed.

The Voices of Dinosaurs

Even if no one actually heard the voice of a dinosaur, many scientists guess that the T-Rex had a raspy and deep voice, the Hadrisaur had a voice like a honking 5-ton goose, and the Apatosaurus had a voice similar to a herd of snorting horses.

Dinosaur Names

The names of dinosaurs are mostly a combination of Greek or Latin root words. Their names actually describe them. A good example would be the Triceratops, which means "three-horned face." These names also describe the place of their discovery or to recognize learning institutions. A good example is the Arctosaurus whose remains were found along the Arctic Circle. The Yaleosaurus was actually named after the Yale University.

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