Robert T. Bakker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert T. Bakker
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![]() Robert Bakker in 2008
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Born | March 24, 1945 Bergen County, New Jersey, United States
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Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Yale University (B.A., 1968) Harvard University (Ph.D, 1971) |
Known for | The "Dinosaur renaissance" |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Paleontology |
Institutions | Johns Hopkins University Houston Museum of Natural Science |
Doctoral advisor | John Ostrom |
Doctoral students | Blaire Van Valkenburgh |
Bob Bakker (Robert Thomas Bakker, March 24, 1945) was born in Bergen County, New Jersey. He is an American paleontologist and writer, who developed modern ideas about dinosaurs. Bakker studied at Yale University and Harvard University.
Bakker accepted his mentor John Ostrom's idea that dinosaurs were warm-blooded (endothermic). With this as a starting-point, Bakker publicised the "dinosaur renaissance" in paleontological studies. His special field is the ecological context and behavior of dinosaurs.
Bakker has been a major proponent of the theory that dinosaurs were warm-blooded, smart, fast, and adaptable. His main work, The Dinosaur Heresies, was published in 1986. He revealed the first evidence of parental care at nesting sites for Allosaurus. Bakker was among the advisors for the film Jurassic Park and for the 1992 PBS series, The Dinosaurs.
Images for kids
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Mounted Gorgosaurus skeleton with several bone injuries, from the "Dinosaur Mummy: CSI" exhibit at the HMNS, Bob Bakker on the right
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Robert Bakker (right) teaching at the HMNS