Re: Are Dinosaurs more Lizard/Reptile or are they more like a bird?
I actually read paleontological articles and books in my spare time so here's the common consensus among most scientists today:
Birds are dinosaurs. They evolved from a few specific lines of theropod dinosaurs (most likely the Dromaeosaurs which are your typical 'raptors, etc). By the time the meteor hit, there were already birds in the sky and they had already diverged from their dinosaur brethren. The reason they weren't taken out is the same reason we are around: our tiny mammalian ancestors were too small. We were able to burrow and hide in places that the monsters of the time weren't. They were also opportunistic - they could probably eat a mixtures of plants, seeds, and meat, which allowed them to survive after the big boom.
Reptiles such as turtles, crocs, lizards, etc all evolved completely separately from the dinosaurs and can typically be traced to FAR older biological timelines. They also survived the big crash most likely due to size, diet, etc.
Here's a really great book for those that are interested in this sort of thing (and I promise it's not boring - the author is a contemporary paleontologist, and he tells his story with a lot of fun): The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte
Re: Are Dinosaurs more Lizard/Reptile or are they more like a bird?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Skeptiball
Ever seen a roadrunner or a heron move, hunt, or eat? Better than watching Jurassic Park.
Man, now I want to eat a dinosaur. :P
Just watch a chicken run around all excited chasing after some bug in the yard. Same effect! :rofl:
Re: Are Dinosaurs more Lizard/Reptile or are they more like a bird?