NORTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S
DINOSAURSGEOL 106
Instructor: Dr. Tom Braziunas
Slides by: Dr. Jerry D. Harris
NORTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S
DINOSAURS
The Study of Dinosaurs
branch of paleontology= study of ancient life usually involves fossils
The Study of Dinosaurs
branch of paleontology= study of ancient life
Paleontology combines many other sciences
paleontology
chemistry
geology biology
physics
astronomy
The Study of Dinosaurs
very few paleontologists study dinosaurs most study other fossil organisms
What Is A Dinosaur? dinosaur = member of a very
specific group of animals that: has very specific anatomical
characteristics lived during a very particular period of
time
VERY FEW FOSSILS ARE OF DINOSAURS.
What Is A Dinosaur? Just because something is a fossil DOES
NOT mean it’s a dinosaur!!! Just because an organism is extinct
DOES NOT mean it’s a dinosaur!!! Just because an organism’s name ends
in “-saurus” DOES NOT mean it’s a
dinosaur!!! Just because an organism lived during a
particular period of time DOES NOT mean it’s a dinosaur!!!
Just because an organism appears in a book/pack of toys called “Dinosaurs” DOES NOT mean it’s a dinosaur!!!
What Is A Dinosaur?Quiz
What Is A Dinosaur?Quiz
What Is A Dinosaur?Quiz
What Is A Dinosaur?Quiz
What Is A Dinosaur?Quiz
What Is A Dinosaur? Are dinosaurs extinct?
YES NO
What Is A Dinosaur? BIRDS ARE DINOSAURS!
i.e., birds are descended from dinosaurs
MAMMALS
wha
les
cow
s
hum
ans
DINOSAURSbi
rds
Tyra
nnos
auru
s
Tric
erat
ops
What Is A Dinosaur? BIRDS ARE DINOSAURS!
i.e., birds are descended from dinosaurs
DINOSAURS
bird
s
Tyra
nnos
auru
s
Tric
erat
ops
birds = avian
dinosaurs
non-avian dinosaurs =
dinosaurs that aren’t birds
DINOSAURSbi
rds
Tyra
nnos
auru
s
Tric
erat
ops
Paleontologists at work…
Slide show by Tom Braziunas