How many mysteries conceals ancient world history.Dinosaurs - is one of them.They reign on the earth over 160 million years since the Triassic period (about 225 million. Years ago) until the end of the Cretaceous (about 65 million. Years ago).Today, scientists can reconstruct the appearance of these animals, their way of life and habits, but many questions yet to be answered.How did the dinosaurs?Why did they disappear?Although the dinosaurs disappeared from our planet nearly 65 million years ago, the history of dinosaurs, their origin, life and sudden death is of great interest to researchers.Let's look at the main stages of the development of reptiles.
origin of the name
Dinosaurs usually called only group of reptiles.This name refers only to those of them who lived in the Mesozoic Era.If translated from Greek, the term "dinosaur" means "terrifying" or "terrible lizard".The name has entered the British explorer Richard Owen in 1842.So he proposed to call first discovered fossils of ancient dinosaurs to highlight their unprecedented size and grandeur.
beginning of the era of the dinosaurs
As you know, the whole history of the planet is traditionally divided into successive era.The time in which the dinosaurs lived, usually attributed to the Mesozoic.It, in turn, consists of three periods: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous.The Mesozoic Era began about 225 million. Years ago, and it ended about 70 million. Years ago.The history of dinosaurs begins in the first period - Triassic.However, they received the greatest distribution in the Cretaceous.
Long before the appearance of dinosaurs on the planet live reptiles.They looked like the usual modern man lizards that have paws are on the sides of the body.But when the global warming (300 million. Years ago), among them there was an evolutionary explosion.All groups of reptiles began to develop rapidly.So there archosaur - it differed from its predecessors in that he has paws placed under the body.Presumably, this is a chronological interval and is the emergence of dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs Triassic
Already at the beginning of the Triassic period, many new species of dinosaurs.They are believed to have moved on two legs, because their front legs are shorter and much less developed than the rear.This is different from its predecessors.The history of the dinosaurs says that one of the first species was staurikosaurus.It lived about 230 million. Years ago in what is now Brazil is located.
In the early stages of evolution, there are many other reptiles: etozavry, Cynodont, ornitozuhidy and others.So dinosaurs had to endure a long rivalry before to find its niche and achieve prosperity.It accepted to believe that they have acquired a dominant position on all the other inhabitants of the planet at the end of the Triassic period.It is associated with large-scale extinction of animals that inhabited the earth then.
Dinosaurs Jurassic
the beginning of the Jurassic dinosaurs became the sole masters of the planet.They settled across the Earth's surface: the mountains and the plains, swamps and lakes.The history of the dinosaurs of the period marked the emergence and spread of new numerous species.As an example, Allosaurus, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus.
And these lizards most radically different from each other.So, they could be completely different sizes, have different lifestyles.Some of the dinosaurs were carnivores, others - absolutely harmless herbivores.Interestingly, it is on the Jurassic heyday winged lizards - pterosaurs.Majestic reptiles reigned not only on land and in the sky, but in the depths of the sea.
Dinosaurs Cretaceous
During the Cretaceous period, the number and diversity of dinosaurs peaked.On the other hand, some scientists do not share the view of the sudden and significant increase in the number of reptiles.According to them, representatives of the Triassic and Jurassic are much less studied than the inhabitants of the Cretaceous.
At that time there were a lot of herbivorous reptiles.This is due to the advent of the world a large number of new species.However, there were plenty of predators.It refers to the Cretaceous occurrence of such well-known species like Tyrannosaurus.By the way, he was probably one of the most famous dinosaurs.The most massive of all the carnivorous reptiles, he weighed up to eight tons, and its growth could reach 12 meters.Also Cretaceous period is the appearance of such well-known species such as Iguanodon and triceratops.
mysterious death of the dinosaurs
dinosaurs disappeared about 65 million. Years ago.This event took place at the end of the Cretaceous period.Today there are many different theories about how and why it happened.However, scientists now can not come to a consensus.
In particular, raised questions the reasons for their destruction, as well as whether it has been slow or fast.It is known that it was one of the parts of the "great extinction" of the time.Then they disappeared from the face of the earth not only dinosaurs, but other reptiles, as well as shellfish and some algae.According to one view, the "great extinction" was triggered by the fall of an asteroid.
After that, the air went up giant clouds of dust covered the sun for months, and that was the cause of death of all living things.Some scholars are of the opinion that far from Earth the star exploded, causing the entire planet was covered with deadly radiation for its inhabitants.It is also widely held view is that the dinosaurs became extinct as a result of cold weather, which began in the late Cretaceous period.Anyway, I ended the era of reptiles.And as it happens, science has yet to find out.
history of the study of dinosaurs
history of dinosaurs became interested in people recently.Their study began only in the early 19th century.This is largely due to the fact that people do not take the bones that were found in the earth, as the dinosaur footprints.It is interesting that in ancient times believed that the remains of the heroes of the Trojan War.
In the Middle Ages until the 19th century - the giants who died in the Flood.Only in 1824 they were first identified as the remains of the giant lizards.In 1842, British scientist Richard Owen, drawing attention to the main features of these reptiles, and led them in a separate suborder, and gave them the name of "dinosaurs".Since then, there was a constant accumulation of knowledge about them, discover new species.The life story of the dinosaurs becoming more complete view.Now the study of these reptiles continues with even greater zeal.Modern researchers account for almost a thousand species of dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs in popular culture
World Art give people a huge number of books and films devoted to these lizards.For example, they appear in the work of Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World", which was subsequently repeatedly filmed.On the basis of Michael Crichton's famous painting filmed "Jurassic Park."The history of dinosaurs for kids is presented with the help of numerous cartoons and colorful picture books.Of these, the child can get to know these amazing animals and majestic.
Despite the fact that so much time has passed since then, both have disappeared from the surface of the Earth last dinosaurs, history of the origin of these majestic raptors, their life and the mystery of their disappearance and now worried about the hearts and minds of people.However, most of their mysteries, likely will remain unanswered.
