Dracohors facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dracohors |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauriformes |
| Clade: | Dracohors |
| Major groups | |
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Dracohors is a special group of ancient reptiles that includes all dinosaurs and their closest relatives, like birds. Scientists use a system called taxonomy to put living things into groups, and Dracohors is one of these important groups. It's like a big family tree that shows how different animals are related.
The name Dracohors comes from Latin: draco means "dragon," and hors means "group" or "circle." So, it's like the "dragon group"!
Contents
What is Dracohors?
Dracohors is a clade, which means it's a group of organisms that all share a common ancestor. Think of it like a branch on the tree of life. This group helps scientists understand how dinosaurs, birds, and their early relatives are connected.
The main members of the Dracohors group are:
- Silesauridae: These were early, small, dinosaur-like reptiles. They are very close relatives to true dinosaurs.
- Dinosauria: This includes all the well-known dinosaurs, from the giant long-necked ones to the speedy meat-eaters.
- Birds: Yes, modern birds are actually living dinosaurs! They evolved from a group of feathered dinosaurs.
The Dracohors Family Tree
The Dracohors group can be divided into several important branches, showing how these amazing creatures evolved over millions of years.
Silesauridae: Early Relatives
The Silesauridae were a group of small, agile reptiles that lived during the Triassic period. They are considered the closest known relatives to dinosaurs. Some scientists even think that some early dinosaurs might have evolved directly from animals similar to Silesauridae. An example is Pisanosaurus.
Dinosauria: The True Dinosaurs
Within Dracohors, the biggest and most famous branch is Dinosauria, which means "terrible lizards." This group includes all the dinosaurs we usually think of.
Herrerasauria: Early Meat-Eaters
One of the earliest groups of true dinosaurs was the Herrerasauria. These were mostly two-legged meat-eaters that lived in the early Triassic period. They were some of the first large predators on Earth. Examples include Herrerasaurus, Tawa, and Daemonosaurus.
Sauropodomorpha: Long-Necked Giants
The Sauropodomorpha were the plant-eating dinosaurs known for their incredibly long necks and tails. This group includes the largest land animals that ever lived, like Diplodocus. They walked on four legs and spent their lives munching on plants. An early example is Eodromaeus.
Ornithoscelida: Bird-Hipped and Theropods
The Ornithoscelida group is another major branch of dinosaurs. It includes two very different types:
- Ornithischia: These were the "bird-hipped" dinosaurs, even though they weren't directly related to birds. This group includes famous plant-eaters like Triceratops with their horns and frills, and Stegosaurus with their plates.
- Theropoda: These were mostly meat-eating dinosaurs that walked on two legs. This group includes fearsome predators like Megalosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex, but also the ancestors of modern birds.
Related pages
Images for kids
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An illustration of Silesaurus opolensis, an early relative of dinosaurs.
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An illustration of Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis, one of the earliest known dinosaurs.
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An illustration of Tawa hallae, an early theropod dinosaur.
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An illustration of Daemonosaurus chauliodus, another early theropod.
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An illustration of Diplodocus carnegii, a famous long-necked sauropod.
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An illustration of Eodromaeus, an early dinosaur.
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An illustration of Triceratops, a well-known horned dinosaur.
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An illustration of Megalosaurus, an early large theropod.
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Pelvis of Marasuchus (=Lagosuchus?) specimen PVL 3870
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Skeletal diagram of Ixalerpeton
See also
In Spanish: Dinosauromorpha para niños
