6 Weird Dinosaur Facts That Prove Truth is Stranger Than Fiction
A fascination of kids and adults alike, dinosaurs first appeared on Earth during the Triassic period. They soon became the dominant species, continuing through the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods until the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. Split into avian and non-avian dinosaurs, there is a lot to learn about these ancient creatures, including these six weird dinosaur facts that may surprise you.
6. The first scientific account about dinosaurs happened in 1677 in Europe
Our sixth selection for weird dinosaur facts is when researchers first discovered remains. The first scientific account about a fossil was not published until 1677 in Europe, describing a Megalosaurus thighbone. The account was published by Robert Plot, and at the time, it was believed to be part of a giant human, but it was later categorized as a dinosaur fossil.
5. Fossils have been found on all seven continents
While it may seem unbelievable, fossils have been found on every continent. Ranking fifth on our weird dinosaur facts list, most fossils are found in the US, Canada, China, and Argentina. A few have been found in Antarctica, giving researchers a better glimpse into the species and how they traveled across the Earth.
For instance, while dinosaur fossils have been found on every continent, there are some more localized types of fossils. These include the glossopteris fossils found in all the southern continents, cynognathus fossils in South America and Africa, lystrosaurus fossils in Southern Africa, India, and Antarctica, and mesosaurus fossils in South America and Africa.
4. Birds evolved from a group of meat-eating Theropods
Coming in fourth on our weird dinosaur facts list is the connection between birds and dinosaurs. Based on scientific research, birds evolved from a group of meat-eating dinosaurs known as Theropods, with the oldest bird fossils being around 150 million years old. Originally, these fossils were feathered dinosaurs with sharp teeth, and over time birds lost their teeth and gained beaks instead. The craziest part? The Tyrannosaurus Rex is within the Theropod group.
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3. Some of the biggest dinosaurs are herbivores
Third on our weird dinosaur facts list the correlation between size and food preferences. Some of the biggest dinosaurs roaming Earth were herbivores, including the Brachiosaurus and Apatosaurus. This was possible because there was enough plant food to support them, and the large size made these herbivores difficult to catch. Herbivore dinosaurs also had specialized teeth and large stomachs to process their plant diet.
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2. Many dinosaurs had feathers
While there are very few, if any, dinosaurs with feathers in the famed Jurassic Park films, the truth is quite different. Coming in second for weird dinosaur facts, many dinosaurs had feathers for various reasons. The first feathered dinosaur fossils were discovered in China in the 1990s, and since then, paleontologists have found thousands, including theropods, ornithischians, and pterosaurs.
1. Dinosaurs often swallowed rocks to help digestion
Last on our weird dinosaur facts list might be the strangest of them all. Dinosaurs often swallowed large rocks to help with digestion and grinding up food. These “stomach stones,” called gastroliths, have been found frequently alongside dinosaur fossils. While some research may lean away from the gastroliths, there is no doubt that the truth behind the dinosaurs will never be completely revealed, leaving them a mysterious creature stuck at the forefront of science and pop culture.
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