Dryosauridae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DryosauridaeTemporal range: Middle Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous, 163–115 mya
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Dysalotosaurus – reconstructed skeleton in the Museum of Natural History in Berlin (Museum für Naturkunde) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Superorder: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Infraorder: | |
| Superfamily: | |
| Family: |
Dryosauridae
|
Dryosaurids were a group of plant-eating dinosaurs. They lived a very long time ago, from the Middle Jurassic period to the Lower Cretaceous period. This means they roamed the Earth between about 163 and 115 million years ago!
These dinosaurs were a type of iguanodont, which means they were related to the famous Iguanodon. Dryosaurids have been found in different parts of the world, including what is now Africa, Europe, and North America.
Contents
What Were Dryosaurids?
Dryosaurids were generally small to medium-sized dinosaurs. They walked on two legs, like many other plant-eating dinosaurs called Ornithopods. Their bodies were built for running, which probably helped them escape from bigger, meat-eating dinosaurs.
Key Features of Dryosaurids
Dryosaurids had some special features. They had strong legs and a long tail that helped them balance. Their teeth were perfect for munching on plants. They were not as big as some of their iguanodont relatives.
How Big Were They?
Most Dryosaurids were about 2.5 to 4.5 meters (8 to 15 feet) long. This is roughly the size of a small car. They were not giant dinosaurs, but they were still impressive creatures.
Where Did Dryosaurids Live?
Fossils of Dryosaurids have been discovered in several continents. This shows that they were quite widespread across the ancient supercontinent of Pangaea before it fully broke apart.
African Discoveries
Many important Dryosaurid fossils come from Africa. For example, Dysalotosaurus is a well-known Dryosaurid found in Tanzania. These discoveries help scientists understand how dinosaurs lived in different environments.
North American Dryosaurids
In North America, the most famous Dryosaurid is Dryosaurus itself. Its fossils have been found in places like the Morrison Formation in the western United States. This area is famous for many dinosaur discoveries.
European Dryosaurids
Fossils have also been found in Europe, showing that Dryosaurids lived there too. This wide distribution helps scientists learn about dinosaur migration and how different species spread across the globe.
When Did Dryosaurids Live?
Dryosaurids lived during two major periods of Earth's history: the Middle Jurassic and the Lower Cretaceous.
The Middle Jurassic Period
This period was from about 174 to 163 million years ago. It was a time when many new types of dinosaurs were appearing. The Earth's climate was generally warm and humid.
The Lower Cretaceous Period
This period followed the Jurassic, lasting from about 145 to 100 million years ago. Dryosaurids continued to thrive during the early part of this period. Eventually, like many other dinosaurs, they died out before the very end of the Cretaceous.
Famous Dryosaurid Genera
There are 11 known types, or genera, of Dryosaurids. The most famous one is Dryosaurus.
Dryosaurus
Dryosaurus means "oak lizard." It was a fast-running, plant-eating dinosaur. It had a long neck and a small head. Scientists believe it lived in herds, much like modern-day gazelles.
Dysalotosaurus
Dysalotosaurus is another well-known Dryosaurid. Its name means "hard-to-catch lizard." This dinosaur was similar to Dryosaurus but had some small differences in its bones. Many Dysalotosaurus fossils have been found together, suggesting they might have lived in groups.
How Do We Know About Dryosaurids?
Scientists learn about Dryosaurids by studying their fossils. These are the preserved remains of ancient life.
Fossil Discoveries
Paleontologists (scientists who study fossils) dig up bones, teeth, and sometimes even footprints of dinosaurs. They carefully clean and study these fossils.
Reconstructing Dinosaurs
By looking at the bones, scientists can figure out what Dryosaurids looked like. They can also guess how they moved and what they ate. Sometimes, they even put together full skeletons for museums, like the Dysalotosaurus skeleton in Berlin.
See also
In Spanish: Driosáuridos para niños
