As one of many self-proclaimed dinosaur enthusiasts, I think I speak for the paleo-community in saying that the abundant heaps of misinformation about prehistoric creatures that pervades people's minds is ANNOYING. The worst thing about it is, even the most devoted dinosaur fans can make these same common mistakes. Often, our most basic, fundamental ideas about dinosaurs are the ones that are wrong; most people can't properly discern which animals are dinosaurs, and which aren't! But where do you stand? Do you think your most fundamental dinosaur knowledge can withstand extinction?
1. Tyrannosaurs. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?
A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur
2. Woolly Mammoth. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?
A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur
3. Velociraptor. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?
A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur
4. Archaeopteryx. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?
A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur
5. Pteranodon. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?
A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur
6. Triceratops. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?
A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur
7. Dimetrodon. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?
A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur
8. Tylosaurus. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?
A. Dinosaur
B, Not a dinosaur
Let's see how you did.
1. Tyrannosaurs
A. Dinosaur
It should come as no surprise to you that the "tyrant lizard king" of Jurassic Park fame is in fact a dinosaur. Tyrannosaurus belongs to the order Saurischia, meaning "lizard-hipped," which is one of the two major groups of dinosaurs. All carnivorous dinosaurs belong to this group, and so do the towering sauropods (one of the most famous being brachiosaurus).
2. Woolly Mammoth
B. Not a dinosaur
This one should also be obvious: mammals are not dinosaurs. This prehistoric pachyderm evolved far after the famous mass extinction, but make no mistake - there were mammals around during the reign of dinosaurs. These Mesozoic mammals were very small and are thought to have survived the extinction by burrowing underground.
3. Velociraptor
A. Dinosaur
As another Jurassic Park staple, this one should've been easy too. However, real velociraptors looked quite a bit different from the big, scaly beasts featured in the famous dinosaur franchise. Jurassic Park depicts velociraptors as man-sized reptiles, with scaly skin and pronated (downward-facing) hands. In reality, though, velociraptors were only about the size of a German Shepherd and were covered in bird-like feathers. Their hands also faced inward, which is much better for grabbing a hold of prey.
4. Archaeopteryx
A. Dinosaur
As you may know, birds evolved from dinosaurs. Archaeopteryx is kind of that middle step between Dromaeosaurs like velociraptor and modern birds.
5. Pteranodon
B. Not a dinosaur
Shocker, right? Pterosaurs aren't dinosaurs! They actually branched off just before true dinosaurs started to evolve. The more accurate term for pterosaurs is "flying reptile." And don't even get me started on the word "pterodactyl" - there's no such thing! Pterodactyl is an improper term that refers to pterosaurs.
6. Triceratops
A. Dinosaur
Remember how I said tyrannosaurus belongs to Saurischia? Triceratops belongs to the other major order Ornithischia. All members of Ornithischia are herbivores (though not all herbivores are Ornithiscians). These include some other extremely famous dinosaurs, like stegosaurus, ankylosaurus, and iguanodon.
7. Dimetrodon
B. Not a dinosaur
Dimetrodon almost certainly looks like it could be a reptile or dinosaur, but no; this creature is actually more closely related to mammals. Dimetrodon is one step removed from the clade Therapsida, which contains all mammal ancestors.
8. Tylosaurus
B. Not a dinosaur
This might come as a surprise when tylosaurus-lookalike mosasaurus was featured in Jurassic World, but neither sea creature is a dinosaur. They are both classified as aquatic reptiles.
So, how did you do?
Add up your correct answers and comment your grade below.
o-2 correct: Coprolite
Well, you did about as well as a piece of prehistoric dung. Fossilization's still an accomplishment though!
3-4 correct: Mesozoic Mammal
You have a big future ahead of you, but for now, you are the little guy on the food chain.
5-6 correct: Pachycephalosaurus
You might be a bit bone-headed, but you're close to the top!
7-8 correct: Tyrannosaurus
You're on top of the food chain, a true tyrant lizard king!
