Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs (dye-no-sawrs)

Dinosaurs are a group of reptiles of the clade Dinosauria that first appeared during the Mesozoic Era. The term dinosaur itself derives from the Greek words deinos (terrible) and sauros (lizard).

Etymology

The term "dinosaur" was coined in 1842 by English paleontologist Richard Owen. The word is derived from the Greek words deinos, meaning "terrible, potent, or fearfully great", and sauros, meaning "lizard or reptile".

Classification

Dinosaurs belong to a group known as archosaurs, which also includes modern crocodiles and birds. They are further classified into two orders, the Saurischia and the Ornithischia, based on hip structure.

Anatomy

Dinosaurs are characterized by their upright stance, with legs positioned directly beneath the body. They have a variety of body sizes, from the tiny Microraptor to the massive Argentinosaurus. Many species are believed to have been feathered.

Behavior

Evidence suggests that some dinosaurs were social animals, living in groups. Some were likely herbivores, while others were carnivores. Certain species may have been capable of flight.

Extinction

Dinosaurs, with the exception of birds, went extinct approximately 66 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous period. This event is known as the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Dinosaurs
Wikipedia's article - Dinosaurs

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