dinosaurs of the jurassic period

Brachiosaurus, one of the largest land animals to ever roam the earth, lived during the middle to late Jurassic period.

Dinosaurs, one of the most successful groups of animals (in terms of longevity) that have ever lived, were found in many diverse sizes and shapes, with many diverse modes of living. The term Dinosauria was invented by Sir Richard Owen in 1842 to describe these fearfully great reptiles, specifically Megalosaurus, Iguanodon, and Hylaeosaurus, the only three dinosaurs known at the time. The creatures that we normally think of as dinosaurs lived during the Mesozoic Era, from late in the Triassic period (about 225 million years ago) until the end of the Cretaceous (about 65 million years ago). But we now know that they actually live on today as the birds.

Firmly planted between the Triassic and the Cretaceous periods of geologic time, the Jurassic period lasted for approximately 70 million years, beginning 206 mya (million years ago) and lasting until 144 mya.

Great plant-eating dinosaurs roamed the earth, feeding on lush, green ferns and palm-like cyads and bennettitaleans, Smaller, but vicious, carnivores stalked the great herbivores. Oceans teemed with fish, squid, coiled ammonites, great ichthyosaurs and long-necked plesiosaurs.

Today, when you think Jurassic, images of the incredibly successful book and movie “Jurassic Park” probably come to mind. Although it is true that dinosaurs dominated the land animals of that period, many of the dinosaurs featured in “Jurassic Park”, such as the Triceratops and the Tyrannosaurus rex, did not emerge until after the Jurassic was over. The largest land animals of the Jurassic period were the gigantic sauropods, such as the Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus and Apatosaurus. Other herbivorous dinosaurs of the Jurassic included the plated stegosaurs. Fearsome predatory dinosaurs included carnosaurs such as Allosaurus, small, fast coelurosaurs, and ceratosaurs such as Dilophosaurus. The first birds, such as the Archaeopteryx, appears during the Jurassic as well.

Guanlong

Guanlong (wucaii)

Name means: Crested dragon or five colored crown dragon

Length: About 10 feet ( 3 m)

Weight: Unknown ( I couldn't find out the weight so if anyone finds it tell me).

Diet: Meat

When: 160 mya

Where: Dzungaria, China

Prey: Mammals/small or young dinosaurs

Basic info: This is supposedly the oldest known ancestor of T-Rex (If you believe in evolution). This dinosaur was first discovered by scientists from the George Washington university, and named by Xu Xing in 2006. The only real difference between Guanlong and other Tyrannosaurids is the crest on it's head. It may have been used during a mating season to attract a mate, But was too fragile to be used for fighting. Scientists also don't know if this is a feature only found on males, since not many have been found. Also unlike other Tyrannosaurids, Guanlong had three-fingered hands instead of the usual two.

Rhamphorhynchus (pterosaur)

Rhamphorhynchus was a long-tailed pterosaur of the Jurassic period. Its name means 'beak snout'. Only 17.5 cm (7 in) long but with a wingspan of 100 cm (3 ft), it was less specialized than the later pterodactyloids. It had a long tail stiffened with ligaments which ended in a diamond-shaped vane.

Rhamphorhynchus ate fish, frogs,and insects and it is believed that one of the ways it hunted was by dragging its beak in the water, catching fish and tossing them into its throat pouch, a structure similar to that of pelicans, which has been preserved in some fossils. This method of catching fish is found today in skimmers.

Although fossils have been found in England, the best preserved come from the Solnhofen quarry in Bavaria; many of these fossils preserve not only the bones but impressions of soft tissues such as the wings and tail.

Rhamphorhynchus laid eggs instead of giving birth to its young. It belongs to the Suborder Rhamphorhynchoidea.
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Pterosaurs, often referred to as pterodactyls, were flying reptiles. They existed from the late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous Period (228 to 65 million years ago). Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to fly. Their wings were formed by a membrane of skin, muscle, and other tissues stretching from the thorax to a dramatically lengthened fourth finger. Earlier species had long, fully-toothed jaws and long tails, while later forms had a highly reduced tail, and some lacked teeth.

Pterosaurs are sometimes referred to as dinosaurs, but this is incorrect. The term "dinosaur" is properly restricted to a certain group of terrestrial reptiles with a unique upright stance (superorder Dinosauria), and therefore excludes the pterosaurs, as well as the various groups of extinct aquatic reptiles, such as ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs.
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Dakota: the hadrosaur mummy

The discovery of a mummified hadrosaur was recently made public. The dinosaur, named Dakota, was found in North Dakota in 1999 by a then-16-year-old boy, Tyler Lyson. The hadrosaur is not a mummy in the King Tut sense of the word. It has been fossilized, complete with uncollapsed skin enveloping the arm, legs and tail indicating the preservation of muscular tissues. The chest cavity was not preserved presumably due to scavenging before mummification.

Initial study of this specimen indicates that hadrosaurs were bigger and faster than first imagined . . . 3.5 tons and up to 40 feet long. The preserved ligaments and tendons has provided researchers with enough information to estimate muscle mass of the hadrosaur, and therefore allowing them to estimate the top speed of this animal at 45 km per hour (about 15 kph faster than the T. rex -- a predator of the hadrosaur).

A pattern of banding on the larger and smaller scales of Dakota indicate stripes, which is often associated with color change, like a chameleon.

Stegosaurus

Stegosaurus

Name Means: Plated Lizard

Length: 30 feet (9 meters)

Weight: 5.5 tons (5,000 Kg)

Diet: Herbivore

When: Late Jurassic

Where: Colorado, the western U.S., and parts of Europe

Threats: Allosaurus and possibly Ceratosaurus

Basic Info: This has been my favorite herbivore ever since I saw it, and a lot of other peoples' favorites. The plates on it's back were probably used for cooling the Stegosaur off. It could have also been used for defense, flushing it's plates with blood to make itself seem more frightening. It could have also been used during the mating season to attract mates. It's brain was the size of a walnut... Well at least one of them is... There is a section in the hip region of the spinal chord that may have actually been used for a second brain! If there was a second brain in it's hip it would have probably only been used for controlling reflexes in the rear part of the body. There is now doubt what the tail spikes were used for... Defense. The Stegosaur, when alarmed, would turn sideways and swing it's tail at whatever would try to attack it. The Pangaea theory was virtually proven when the same exact genus of Stegosaur was found in Europe and North America.

Coelophysis

Coelophysis

Name Means: Hollow form

Length: 9 feet (1.2 meters)

Weight: Around 100 pounds (45.5 Kg)

Diet: Carnivore

When: Late Triassic

Where: New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah

Prey: Small mammals, lizards, Dinosaurs, and Insects

Basic Info: Coelophysis was first named by Edward Drinker Cope in 1889 during the famous "Bone Wars" era against his competition Othniel Charles Marsh. An amateur fossil collector named David Baldwin found the first specimen of the creature in 1881 on a New Mexico ranch. Coelophysis are proven cannibals. Some skeletons were found of it with baby Coelophysis in it's stomach. A graveyard of Coelophysis were found at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico in 1947, possibly swept away by a flash flood.

Trivia: Coelophysis was the second fossil to be taken into space (Miasaura was the first).

Coelophysis is the state fossil of New Mexico.

I'm back, With vengeance!

OK folks, I know that I haven't posted in a while, but that is about to change. I'm in school so I can't blog much, but Christmas is coming. I'll try to make up for my lost time during the break.

Check this out!

Please look at this. http://www.dinosaurlive.com/

This is probably one of the best shows I have ever seen! It is definitely worth going to see... but make sure you get good seats (when I went we had to sit so high up, that vendors were saying '' oxygen, get your oxygen here!''. But thankfully they had fans that blew the clouds away so we could see.) They were very accurate in size, the time period they were in, and little details such as blinking eyes, muscle, and skin movement were amazing. A funny part was when the T-Rex would walk up to a crowd... ''ROOOAAARRR!!!'', then the baby Rex walked up to the same crowd...''roooaaarrr!!!'', (yeah, what mom said!) . Hopefully anyone who sees this and goes to it will like it, as well.

Enjoy!

Parasaurolophus

Parasaurolophus

Name means: like Saurolophus lizard

Length: 33 feet (10 meters)

Weight: 3-4 tons

Diet: plant-eater (herbivore)

When: 76-65 million years ago

Where: Alberta, Montana, New Mexico

Predators: Tyrannosaurus, Albertosaurus, and a pack of troodon (or other raptors).

Basic info:Parasaurolophus was a huge plant-eating hadrosaur that weighed as much as a full-grown African elephant. Scientists believe these animals produced sounds by forcing air through the hollow crests on their heads. These sounds could warn other Parasauralophus of approaching danger or possibly talk to each other (not literally). This is probably one of the most well known hadrosaurs due to it's crest. This is one of the biggest hadrosaurs up to 8 feet tall at it's hips.

Spinosaurus

Spinosaurus
Name means: Spine lizard

Weight: 7-9 tons
Length: 53-60 ft (16-18 m)
Diet: Carnivore
When: 93-95 million years ago
Where: Morocco and Egypt
Prey: Sauropods and Iguanadonts (such as Oranosurus)
Basic Info: This giant African carnivore was found in 1912 in Egypt. Many other specimens were found, but sadly were blown up during a bombing in world war II. Giganotosaurus was found in 1995 and was thought to be the largest predatory animal that ever lived, but scientist have found something new. Last year a Spinosaurus skull was found and scientists estimate that it is now the largest carnivore. As everybody knows Spinosaurus was made famous in the film Jurassic park 3. During the film it was classified as a super-predator, but that is not certain ether. It's sail was probably made out of thin skin, and was probably used during mating or to cool it off. This sail could probably get torn pretty easily therfore he may have been a scavenger.

Vacation!!!

Ok... I'm going on a vacation for about a week, so I won't be posting for a while, but I will post again after a return! Myrtle Beach here I come!!!

Carcharodontosaurus

Carcharodontosaurus

Name means: Shark tooth lizard

Weight: up to 4 tons

Length: 40 ft (12 m)

Diet: Carnivore (meat eater)

When: 93-100 million years ago
Where: Morocco

Prey: Oranosaurus

Basic info: This is the African version of the predator Giganotosaurus. It had a massive head as long as an adult man is tall, Long arms for manipulating it's prey, two powerful legs, and a long tail for balancing. This could have been the largest predator that ever lived, but more specimens need to be found before it can be known for sure. One thing is certain... you wouldn't ever want to run into this dinosaur!!!

jurassic park 3 could use some work

I believe that JP3 could use some work... I mean Joe Johnston did a good job, but Steven Spielberg could have done it better... Remember the part where Alan Grant finds Eric? They get chased by a Spinosaurus, but get out of the enclosure, but Spinosaurus breaks through the fence. So everybody runs into a building and locks a giant door with about 5 locks. Well Spinosaurus just broke through a fence... why can't he break down a door? Please leave comments and point out anything else that seams strange to you.

Triceratops

Triceratops

Name means: 3 horned face

Weight: 6-11 tons

Length: 26-30 ft ( 8-9 m)

Diet: herbivore ( eats plants)

When: 65-70 million years ago

Where: Western USA, Alberta, and Saskatchewan

Threats: Tyrannosaurus Rex

Basic info: Probably the most well known herbivore, and one of the most dangerous. It's three horns may have been used by males during mating season to fight one another or have been used for defence against predators. Like most herbivorous dinosaurs it was most vulnerable when sick, injured, or when born. The horns above the eyes could have been as long as the average man is tall. Triceratops was made even more famous in ''Jurassic park" where it showed a scene with a sick Triceratops.

Tarbosaurus

Tarbosaurus

Name means: Terror lizard

Weight: 4-5 tons

Length: 32.5 ft ( about 10 m)

Diet: carnivore ( yes, people it eats meat)

When: 65-75 million years ago

Where: Mongolia & china

Prey: Saurolophus

Basic info: Say hello to the Mongolian T-Rex. When this dinosaur was found it was actually thought to be a juvenile Tyrannosaurus. Until an actual juvenile T-Rex was found then they knew it was a totally different animal. Tarbosaurus is a smaller than T-Rex, but shared many features with T-Rex, like short arms, and powerful jaws. A large head, 2 powerful legs, and teeth up to 7 in long make this large predator a force to be reckoned with.

Waitin' on jp4

Hi folks my name is jpfreak... but everyone can call me jp. I'm going to be a seventh grader this year, and love music, math, and (DUH!) dinosaurs. Anyone who sees this blog pass it on to your friends and don't be afraid to leave comments. Or correct me if i'm wrong.
Man! I can not wait for them to put jurassic park 4 in theaters... Ign said that it would come out in 2006. Other places said it would come out in 2007. Others said 2008. I DON'T KNOW WHO TO BELIEVE!!! So if anyone has any info please leave comments.

Troodon

Troodon

Name means: Wounding tooth

Weight: 130 lbs. (60 kg)

Length: 6.5 ft. (2 m)

Diet: carnivore or omnivore ( meat eater or both plant and meat eater)

When: 65-75 million years ago

Where : western N. America and Alberta

Prey: mammals and small dinosaurs

Basic info: This dinosaur of the cretaceous era could possibly have had the largest brain to body ratio of any other dinosaur. For a long period of time all that was known of this animal was a single tooth... Teeth which confuse scientists. They are serrated, but could possibly have been used to eat plants. Troodon's eyes face forward a little bit. this means that it could have single vision and have some depth perception. Alone troodon wouldn't have been able to take down large prey, but in a pack they would have probably been able to take down a full grown hadrosaur.

Argentinasaurus

Argentinasaurus
Name means: Argentina's lizard

Weight: 100 tons
Length: over 110 ft
Diet: herbivore ( yes... it eats plants)
When: 95 million years ago
Where: Argentina
Threats: Giganotosaurus ( Gig-an-otoh-soar-us)
Basic info: This giant was only vulnerable when sick or injured because of it's shear size. Little is known about this dinosaur except that it was huge!!! It's femur alone stood 9 feet tall. Just a few bones are found so far... A femur, 2 ribs, and some tail vertebrae. Scientists estimate that it was the largest animal that ever lived, but they are not sure until more of the dinosaur is found.