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Quiz: Do You Know Your Dinosaurs?

A lot of people can't tell the difference between a dinosaur and a non-dinosaur. How do you compare?

Lindsay Marie Kastroll

Sep 11, 2016

California University of Pennsylvania

165

Wallpapers13.com

As one of many self-proclaimed dinosaur enthusiasts, I think I speak for the paleo-community in saying that the abundant heaps of misinformation about prehistoric creatures that pervades people's minds is ANNOYING. The worst thing about it is, even the most devoted dinosaur fans can make these same common mistakes. Often, our most basic, fundamental ideas about dinosaurs are the ones that are wrong; most people can't properly discern which animals are dinosaurs, and which aren't! But where do you stand? Do you think your most fundamental dinosaur knowledge can withstand extinction?

1. Tyrannosaurs. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur

2. Woolly Mammoth. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur

3. Velociraptor. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur

4. Archaeopteryx. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur

5. Pteranodon. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur

6. Triceratops. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur

7. Dimetrodon. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

A. Dinosaur
B. Not a dinosaur

8. Tylosaurus. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

A. Dinosaur
B, Not a dinosaur

Let's see how you did.

1. Tyrannosaurs

A. Dinosaur

It should come as no surprise to you that the "tyrant lizard king" of Jurassic Park fame is in fact a dinosaur. Tyrannosaurus belongs to the order Saurischia, meaning "lizard-hipped," which is one of the two major groups of dinosaurs. All carnivorous dinosaurs belong to this group, and so do the towering sauropods (one of the most famous being brachiosaurus).

2. Woolly Mammoth

B. Not a dinosaur

This one should also be obvious: mammals are not dinosaurs. This prehistoric pachyderm evolved far after the famous mass extinction, but make no mistake - there were mammals around during the reign of dinosaurs. These Mesozoic mammals were very small and are thought to have survived the extinction by burrowing underground.

3. Velociraptor

A. Dinosaur

As another Jurassic Park staple, this one should've been easy too. However, real velociraptors looked quite a bit different from the big, scaly beasts featured in the famous dinosaur franchise. Jurassic Park depicts velociraptors as man-sized reptiles, with scaly skin and pronated (downward-facing) hands. In reality, though, velociraptors were only about the size of a German Shepherd and were covered in bird-like feathers. Their hands also faced inward, which is much better for grabbing a hold of prey.

4. Archaeopteryx

A. Dinosaur

As you may know, birds evolved from dinosaurs. Archaeopteryx is kind of that middle step between Dromaeosaurs like velociraptor and modern birds.

5. Pteranodon

B. Not a dinosaur

Shocker, right? Pterosaurs aren't dinosaurs! They actually branched off just before true dinosaurs started to evolve. The more accurate term for pterosaurs is "flying reptile." And don't even get me started on the word "pterodactyl" - there's no such thing! Pterodactyl is an improper term that refers to pterosaurs.

6. Triceratops

A. Dinosaur

Remember how I said tyrannosaurus belongs to Saurischia? Triceratops belongs to the other major order Ornithischia. All members of Ornithischia are herbivores (though not all herbivores are Ornithiscians). These include some other extremely famous dinosaurs, like stegosaurus, ankylosaurus, and iguanodon.

7. Dimetrodon

B. Not a dinosaur

Dimetrodon almost certainly looks like it could be a reptile or dinosaur, but no; this creature is actually more closely related to mammals. Dimetrodon is one step removed from the clade Therapsida, which contains all mammal ancestors.

8. Tylosaurus

B. Not a dinosaur

This might come as a surprise when tylosaurus-lookalike mosasaurus was featured in Jurassic World, but neither sea creature is a dinosaur. They are both classified as aquatic reptiles.

So, how did you do?

Add up your correct answers and comment your grade below.

o-2 correct: Coprolite

Well, you did about as well as a piece of prehistoric dung. Fossilization's still an accomplishment though!

3-4 correct: Mesozoic Mammal

You have a big future ahead of you, but for now, you are the little guy on the food chain.

5-6 correct: Pachycephalosaurus

You might be a bit bone-headed, but you're close to the top!

7-8 correct: Tyrannosaurus

You're on top of the food chain, a true tyrant lizard king!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

Quiz: Do You Know Your Dinosaurs?

A lot of people can't tell the difference between a dinosaur and a non-dinosaur. How do you compare?

1. Tyrannosaurs. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

2. Woolly Mammoth. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

3. Velociraptor. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

4. Archaeopteryx. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

5. Pteranodon. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

6. Triceratops. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

7. Dimetrodon. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

8. Tylosaurus. Dinosaur or not a dinosaur?

Let's see how you did.

1. Tyrannosaurs

A. Dinosaur

2. Woolly Mammoth

B. Not a dinosaur

3. Velociraptor

A. Dinosaur

4. Archaeopteryx

A. Dinosaur

5. Pteranodon

B. Not a dinosaur

6. Triceratops

A. Dinosaur

7. Dimetrodon

B. Not a dinosaur

8. Tylosaurus

B. Not a dinosaur

So, how did you do?

o-2 correct: Coprolite

3-4 correct: Mesozoic Mammal

5-6 correct: Pachycephalosaurus

7-8 correct: Tyrannosaurus

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

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