Zoom Dinosaurs DINOSAUR QUESTIONS

Q: Can you give me a list of myths on Velociraptor?
from ?; December 31, 1999

A: The major misconception are those from the movie Jurassic park. The movie portrayed Velociraptor as almost as smart as a person (it wasn't) and pretty big (it was only about 6 feet long and 3 feet tall). For more information on Velociraptor, click here.

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Q: How did velociraptors take care of their young?
from Brandon J., bloomburg, MI, USA; December 31, 1999

A: No one knows if Velociraptor cared for their young or not. For information on Velociraptor, click here.

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Q: Do you have any info on dinosaur eggs?
from Heather D., Dublin, Ohio, USA; December 31, 1999

A: For information on dinosaur eggs, click here.

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Q: How long was T-rex Skull
from Heather D., Dublin, Ohio, USA; December 31, 1999

A: T-rex's Skull was up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long. For information on T. rex, click here.

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Q: I have heard about a teradactyl being shot in Arizona by some cowboys . This happed in either the late 1800's or early 1900's. Would you happen to know anything about this? Please respond.
from Russ J, oak grove, Kentucky, USA; December 30, 1999

A: This would be very hard to do, since they went extinct millions of years ago. For information on Pterodactyls, click here.

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Q: How did Stegosaurus get it's name?
from Heather D., Dublin, Ohio, USA; December 30, 1999

A: Stegosaurus was named by paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh in 1877. The name Stegosaurus means "covered lizard" or "roof lizard." For more information on Stegosaurus, click here.

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Q: How long was a Triceratops horn?
from Heather D., Dublin, Ohio, USA; December 30, 1999

A: The two large brow horns were over 3 feet ( 1 m) long. For more information on Triceratops, click here.

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Q: How do you know what period the dinosaurs lived in?
from Heather D., Dublin, Ohio, USA; December 30, 1999

A: See this page on how fossils are dated.

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Q: I need to find some info on velociraptor and if you have some, please tell me.
from Heather.D, Dublin, Ohio, USA; December 29, 1999

A: For information on Velociraptor, click here.

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Q: do you have any information about the Acorcanthosaurus and a picture of the acrocanthosaurus ,thanx
from ca; December 28, 1999

A: Click here for information and a drawing of Acrocanthosaurus.

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Q: What is the intelligence of the Suchominus Dinosuar?
from Carmen H., Laverne, CA, USA; December 28, 1999

A: Suchominus was a theropod, whose intelligence (as measured by its relative brain to body weight, or EQ) was high among the dinosaurs. For information on Suchominus, click here.

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Q: For all of 1999, I've been trying to improve the "Vote for your Favorite Dinosaur" page. I tried to do so as hard as I can, but they were still posting childish quotes. Can you add a new page listing the top 20 misconceptions about T-rex??
from Jimmy L, Geogia, USA; December 28, 1999

A: Great idea, Jimmy. I've added it it in the section on T. rex.

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Q: What specifies a creature as a dinosaur, rather than an early reptile or mammal?
from RS; December 28, 1999

A: Its leg structure (among other things) differentialtes dinosaurs from other early reptiles. Early mammals were very different, especially when you look at the skull structure; mammals were synapsid , dinosaurs and other reptiles are diapsids.

For more information on how a dinosaur is defined, click here.

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Q: How big was a Spinosaurus Jaws
from Hayden B, Lake Charles, LA, USA; December 27, 1999

A: Only an incomplete fossils of Spinsaurus was found, it's entire length was roughly 40-50 feet long (12-15 m). Also, the type specimen (an incomplete fossil) was destroyed during World War 2. Only part of Spinosaurus' jaws were found. A very rough estimate of their jaw length would be about 4 feet (1.2 m) long. For information on Spinosaurus, click here.

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Q: What is the name of the dinosaur that is considered the African equivalent of the T.Rex,and its general history?
from Michael K., W.Hollywood, CA, USA; December 26, 1999

A: Carcharodontosaurus was a huge theropod found in Africa. For information on this giant meat-eater, click here. For information on T. rex, click here.

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Q: Was T. rex a scavenger or a predator?
from Duncan C., Coventry, England; December 26, 1999

A: Probably both, but some paleontolgists do debate this. For more on this argument about T. rex's diet, click here.

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Q: hi, I am doing a report on velociraptors for school. Please, tell me, how long were the claws of an adult velociraptor?
Thank you, anton (9)
from anton g., hamburg, Germany; December 25, 1999

A: Velociraptor's claw was 3.5 inch (9 cm) long. For more information on Velociraptor, click here.

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Q: what does a dimetrodon eat
from Brad, USA; December 24, 1999

A: It was a carnivore (meat-eater) that may have eaten other pelycosaurs (its close relatives, like such as the sail-less Archaeothyris, Casea, Ophiacodon, and Varanosaurus), insects, etc. For more information on Dimetrodon, click here.

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Q: I AM DOING A REPORT FOR MY THIRD GRADE CLASS ON YALEOSUARUS. I AM HAVING TROUBLE FINDING PICTURES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DINOSUAR CAN YOU HELP ME. COURTNEY
from COURTNEY M., BEAUFORT, S.C., USA; December 24, 1999

A: For some information on Yaleosaurus (the same as Anchisaurus), click here.

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Q: What were the measurements of the largest ever footprint of a dinasaur found in Dorset in 1997?
from David A, London, England; December 24, 1999

A: Huge sauropods trackways were found at a Dorset quarry (UK) in 1997 . They were the largest dinosaur tracks ever found in the UK, and were almost 4 feet (1.2 m) across. The series of tracks were found by quarryman Kevin Keates at Worth Matravers. Palaeontologist Jo Wright from Bristol University led the excavation team. The prints may have belonged to a huge sauropod like Brachiosaurus or Diplodocus.

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Q: How long is a Maiasaura's leg and stride length? I need to know this for a project.
from ?; December 23, 1999

A: Maisaura's leg length was about 15 ft (4 m). I can't find its stride length. For other information on Maiasaura, click here.

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Q: I heard of a dinosaur that looked lik a dog/tiger.Could you please try to identify it.Thanks!
from Andrew F., Bethlehem, PA, USA; December 23, 1999

A: I have no idea. If anyone has ideas, please let me know. Thanks to Mary N. (of Georgia, Vermont) who realized that you were referring to Cynodonts. For information on Cynodonts, click here.

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Q: How big was a megistothterium?
from Tom C., Geelong, Victoria, Australia; December 22, 1999

A: I don't Megistotherium's exact length, but this extinct mammal's skull was over 3 feet (1 m) long.

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Q: What is the difference between Anklyosaurus and Ankylosaurus?
from Ed G.; December 22, 1999

A: Ankylosaurus was a dinosaur; Anklyosaurus is a mis-spelling.

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Q: what was two types of dinosaurs other than herbavors and carnavors?please tell me where to find this answer.
from vanessa k., NY, NY, USA; December 22, 1999

A: Saurischians (lizard-hipped) and Ornithischians (bird-hipped). For more information on these divisions, click here.

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Q: I know that some dinosaurs are Carnivorus and some are omnivorus but what is the word for dinosaurs who eat only vegitation?
from Tara S., Boston, MA, USA; December 21, 1999

A: Herbivores. For more information on dinosaur diets, click here.

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Q: During the Triassic Period how were the continents positioned? Where were the plate tectonics located?
from Lindsay V., Wayne, new jersey, USA; December 21, 1999

A: For pictures of the Earth during the Triassic (and the rest of the Mesozoic Era), click here.

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Q: Would the T. rex make good pet - if there were still some extied? I'm in first grade and writing a story and it's due tues?
from Eric J., St. James, NY, USA; December 20, 1999

A: I certainly don't think so. Even as abies, they were big and deadly.

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Q: Why did they name the Igunaodon the Iguanodon? Hurry I need a report due tues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from Kelsi J., St. James, NY, USA; December 20, 1999

A: Because its teeth look like those of the iguana. For mors information on Iguanodon, click here.

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Q: What is a Apatosurses family, height, and time period?
from Kelsi J., St. James, NY, USA; December 20, 1999

A: For information on Apatosaurus, click here.

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Q: What is the fastest dinosaur?
from Peter C., Raleign, North Carolina, USA; December 20, 1999

A: The speediest dinosaurs were bird-like bipedal carnivores (theropods) with long, slim hind-limbs and light bodies (hollow bones and a streamlined body), like Gallimimus and Ornithomimus.

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Q: what year was the first dinosaurs fossils found?
from carla d ., matawan, nj, USA; December 19, 1999

A: For page on early dinosuar discoveries, click here.

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Q: HOW MANY BONES ARE THERE IN A TREX
from Scott M., ROSEVILLE, MN, USA; December 18, 1999

A: No one knows exactly, because no complete T. rex skeletons have been found. There are probably roughly 200 or so bones.

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Q: what kind of flying dinosaurs were around 65 million years ago?
from geramy r, decatur, georgia, USA; December 18, 1999

A: Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus were pterosaurs from the late Cretaceous period.

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Q: MY SON IS 6 YEARS OLD AND KNOWS SO MUCH ABOUT DINASAURS THAN THE BOOKS TELL HIM. MY QUESTION IS, WHERE IS THERE A DINASAUR MUSEUM IN THE USA? I THINK I WENT TO ONE IN DENVER WHEN I WAS 12 BUT NOT SURE. THE FAMILY AND I REALLY WANT TO TAKE OUR SON TO A DINASAUR MUSUEM OR TAR PIT LOCATION BUT CANNOT FIND ANY ANSWERS. NEED HELP DAN
from Dan C., San Diego, CA, USA; December 17, 1999

A: There are a lot of museums in the S that display dinosaurs, including the Denver Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), The Smithsonian (Washington D.C., the American Museum of Natural History (NY, NY), the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, the Peabody Museum of Natural History (New Haven, CT), the Geoligocal Museum (Laramie, WY), the Science Museum of Minnesota (St. Paul, MN), the Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia, PA), the Natural History Museum(Cleveland, OH), and others..

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Q: in what era did the dinosaurs live in?
from jamie m, newark, de, USA; December 17, 1999

A: The Mesozoic Era.

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Q: has anyone ever discovered a fossilized brain of a dinosaur?
from barb l, Lawrence, KS, USA; December 17, 1999

A: No, unfortunately not, but fossilized skulls at least give an indication of the brain size of some of the dinosaurs.

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Q: What does carnivore mean?
from Bobby, Washington D.C., USA; December 17, 1999

A: Carnivores are animals that eat meat.

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Q: We are trying to identify a toy dinosaur. It has bony plates but no spikes. Its head is not as big as a stegasaurus. The head is rather pointy. Do you have any ideas? My four-year-old asks daily. Thanks, Salem and his mom
from Salem M., Fairfax, California, USA; December 16, 1999

A: I'm not sure, it may be an ankylosaur. You could look a page of dinosaur drawings and see if anything is similar.

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Q: Why are your pictures of T-rex always green?? Where did green come from??
from Jimmy L., Georgia, USA; December 16, 1999

A: Since no one knows what color they were, I just picked a color that looked good on the page. Also, many of the reptiles in Florida, where I grew up, were green, so I tend to (incorrectly but automatically) associate green with reptiles.

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Q: Could you please direct me to a photo or illustration of the newly discovered Nigersaurus? This is described as a very cool looking sauropod, but I haven't been able to find pictures.
from Brad M., Woodville, Ontario, Canada; December 16, 1999

A: For information on Nigersaurus, click here. I don't know of any drawings of this sauropod.

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Q: What were the weights of the dinosaurs?
from Kenny E, Burnside, Kentucky, USA; December 16, 1999

A: There are hundreds of known dinosaurs that ranged greatly in size from the chicken-sized Compsognathus (which weighed a few pounds) to the house-sized sauropods (which weighed up to about a hundred tons).

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Q: I have heard of the world's largest dinosaur nest site found in southern France. What is the name of the city and what kind of dinosaur was it? Can you tell me anything about the dinosaur, or give me a link to a web page about it?
Thank you
from Richard D., Hacienda Heights, CA, USA; December 15, 1999

A: About 10 large dinosaur eggs (plus 3 egg impressions) were recently found in southwestern France (near Albas, in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains). No bone fossils were found. The eggs had been buried in two layers in the sand. No one knows what type of dinosuar the eggs were.

Much larger egg sites have been found nearby, in northeastern Spain near Tremp, where hundreds of thousands of eggs (of both sauropods and theropods) have been found. Other huge dinosaur eggs sites have been found in Argentina and China.

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Q: Please tell me what you can about the Saurornitholestes and if you would please enclose a picture.
from Tommy S, Burlington, North Dakota, USA; December 15, 1999

A: Saurornitholestes' skeleton was very similar to that of Velociraptor. For information on Saurornitholestes, click here.

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Q: Are there any other theories besides the asteroid theory that explains how the dinosaurs went extinct? Please answer as soon as possible due to a homework assignment deadline on December 17.
from Jake W., Ramsey, MN, USA; December 15, 1999

A: I answered you the first time you wrote, a few days ago. Scroll down for the answer.

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Q: Where are the Maiasaura bones?
from ?; December 15, 1999

A: Maiasaura fossils were found in Montana, USA. For more information on Maiasaura, click here.

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Q: Why did raptors get smaller in size as they evolved instead of bigger, like most other dinosaurs?
from Stephen P, Canton, CT, USA; December 14, 1999

A: Good question, but I have no idea why, other than the stock answer that enviromental pressures may have favored the smaller raptors over time.

Dromaeosaur	When it Lived (Millions of Years Ago)	Size
Utahraptor	125 mya	20 ft (6.5 m)
Sinornithosaurus	124 mya	6 ft (1.8 m)
Deinonchus	119-93 mya	10 ft (3 m)
Velociraptor	85-80 mya	6 ft (1.8 m)
Adasaurus	80-73 mya	6 ft (1.8 m)
Dromaeosaurus	76-72 mya	6 ft (1.8 m)
Saurornitholestes	76-73 mya	6 ft (1.8 m)

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Q: WHAT IS SIZE OF A TERATOSAURUS, WHAT DID IT EAT, WHERE DID IT LIVE AND WHAT WAS ITS MODE OF PROTECTION
from Allie, RICHFIELD, Ohio, USA; December 14, 1999

A: I'm not sure exactly how big it was; it is only known from a large partial upper jaw. It may have been up to 6 m long. It was a meat-eater and probably protected itself with its large teeth. For more information on Teratosaurus, click here.

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Q: What is a "Monocut?"
from Tina U., New Port Richey, FL, USA; December 14, 1999

A: A monocot is a type of plant. The two fundamental groups of angiosperms (flowering plants) are monocots (the embryo has a single cotyledon or seed leaf) and dicots (the embryo has two cotyledons). There are other differences between monocots and dicots, including pollen structure, root structure, the patterns of the leaves and their veins, etc. Examples of monocots (Class Liliopsida) include corn, grasses, and cattails.

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Q: What are some of the most interesting facts about the triceratops? and predict what you think triceratops' family life was like
from Caitlin M., Overland Park, KS, USA; December 14, 1999

A: See the page on Triceratops and judge for yourself what the most interesting facts are. I have no idea if they even had a family life; no one does.

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Q: What does deinos mean? What does sauros mean?
from Nicholas C. and Alexis S., Texas, USA; December 14, 1999

A: Deinos means fearfully great; suaros means lizard. See the FAQ above.

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Q: What is the most famous fossil found from the brachiosaurus
from Carly C., Flora, Illinois, USA; December 14, 1999

A: I have no idea. The biggest Brachiosaurus is on display in the Humboldt Museum fur Naturkunde in Berlin, Germany. The first Brachiosaurus fossil (found by Elmer G. Riggs, in Colorado, USA), used to be on display at the Field Museum in Chicago. For more information on Brachiosaurus, click here.

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Q: I wanted to do a report on Trachodon. I found the dinosaur in a book in our library, but it is not on your site. Do you have any information on that dinosaur?
from Frankie N., Alfred-Almond, NY, USA; December 14, 1999

A: Almost nothing is known about Trachodon since only a few teeth have been found. Many books have elaborate reconstructions that are based on no real evidence. For information on Trachodon, click here.

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Q: How big are dinosaurs?
from Guy S., Flintstone, MD, USA; December 14, 1999

A: They varied in size quite a bit. For more information on dinosuar sizes, click here.

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Q: Are there any other theories of how dinosaurs went extinct besides the asteroid theory?
from Jake W., Ramsey, Minnesota, USA; December 14, 1999

A: Yes, for more information, click here.

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Q: 1. What group of dinosaurs does the Ankylosaurs belong to?
from Isaiah V., Dundee, OR, USA; December 13, 1999

A: Ankylosaurus belonged to the Superfamily Ankylosauria (tank-like armored plant-eating dinosaurs) and the Family Ankylosauridae (ankylosaurs with tail clubs, triangular heads, thin, bony, oval shields, and small or absent spikes on their sides). For more infroamtion on Ankylosaurus, click here.

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Q: What happend to the Baryonyx's babies after they were born? What were predators of the Baryonyx? When do scientists belive the Baryonyx became extinct? Why do scientists beiive the Baryonyx became extinct?
from Brian J, Pittsford, NY, USA; December 13, 1999

A: No one knows about Baryonyx's parental care. Baryonyx was the top predator in its environment. Like most animals, it went probably went extinct because it was unable to adapt to enviromental changes. For the rest of the information you want on Baryonyx, click here.

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Q: I am studying about the Eunotosaurus, and I can't seem to find out what type of fossil it is. I found where it was found, but not what it was found as. Please help.
from Jessica R.. Canon City, Colorado, USA; December 13, 1999

A: For information on Eunotosaurus, click here.

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Q: Was Triceratops warm or cold-blooded? How did Triceratops communicate?
from Sarah C, Overland Park, KS, USA; December 13, 1999

A: No one knows the answer to either of these qestions. For information on whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded or cold-blooded, click here. For information on Triceratops, click here.

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Q: What kind of plants did the triceratops eat? Please hurry, so I can get a report done!!!!!!!!!
from Caitlin M., Overland Park, KS, USA; December 13, 1999

A: Triceratops ate low-lying plants. For more information on plants from the Cretaceous period, click here.

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Q: how was homalocephale was named and where was this dinosaur located and how long ago did it die and where did they find or did they ever find the dinosaurs fossil
from mona l., holland mi, USA; December 13, 1999

A: To find that information on Homalocephale, click here.

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Q: What are two types of dinosaurs, but they are not carnivore and herbivore?
from Max, Queens, NY, USA; December 13, 1999

A: Saurischians (lizard-hipped) and Ornithischians (bird-hipped). For more information on these divisions, click here.

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Q: What was the triceratops' family life like?
from Caitlin M. and Sarah C., Overland Park, KS, USA; December 13, 1999

A: No one knows. Only a few bones of Triceratops have been found (about 50 skulls and some partial skeletons), revealing little. if anything, about their behavior. For information on Triceratops, click here.

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Q: Could you please help me to sort out something that I'm not getting? The largest dinosaurs are supposed to be the Argentinosaurus and the Gigantosaurus (or is it Giganotosaurus????), but then I find that the Pelorosaurus is much bigger, according to the data I've found in this site. Whic is the largest ever, then? Thank you very much for any reply you may be able to provide. John
from John R., London, England; December 13, 1999

A: For a list of the currently-known largest dinosaurs, click here. My only references to Pelorosaurus give its estimated length at about 80 ft (24 m) which is huge, but not quite as big as a few others.

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Q: WHAT IS A PACHYCEPHALOSAURUS? WHAT IS A PACHYCEPHALOSAURS?
from CANDACE M., ALBANY, GEORGIA, USA; December 13, 1999

A: For information on Pachycephalosaurus, click here.

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Q: What is the height of the Diplodocus dinosaur?
from Tasha Y, San Antonio, Texas, USA; December 13, 1999

A: Its height varied with its stance, but it held its neck more-or-less horizontally (parallel to the ground). For information on Diplodocus, click here.

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Q: Where would I find information about a Woolly Mammoth discovery. The local News station had an article about one being found on November 22, 1999. I have not been able to find any information at all. Any help is appreciated.
from Lois C., Peoria, Az, USA; December 12, 1999

A: In 1997, an entire mummified Woolly Mammoth was found in Siberia. It was removed in October, 1999 and brought to a frigid, underground cave where it will be carefully studied. Scientists hope to be able to clone this remarkable specimen. For more information on the woolly mammoth in general, click here.

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Q: what sound did brachiosaurus make
from danielle t., bellingham, ma, USA; December 12, 1999

A: No one knows.

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Q: I need the names of all dinasours
from Kim, Jackson, Michigan, USA; December 12, 1999

A: For a list of all the dinosaurs, click here.

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Q: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE EXPEDITION TO RAISE THE WOOLY MAMOUTH THAT WAS DISCOVERED IN THE ANTARIC
from TABITHA V., Newark, New Jersey, USA; December 12, 1999

A: They'll be working on that woolly mammoth for a few years, eventually trying to clone it. For information on the woolly mammoth, click here. For a woolly mammoth printout, click here.

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Q: I was wondering what for animals other than dinosaurs lived in the Jurassic time period???????????????????????
from Brandon W, Newmanstown, PA, USA; December 12, 1999

A: Click here.

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Q: where can we search for information about how utahraptors reproduce and care for there young
from e d, slc, Utah, USA; December 11, 1999

A: You'd have to go on a dig and find some fossilized Utahraptor eggs, and other evidence that would give you information about how they reproduced. So far, only Utahraptor's fossilized bones have been found, including claws, an arm bone, bones near the eye, part of a jaw, and some vertebrae (part of the backbone).

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Q: WHat did the Riojasaurus eat?
from Sean R., Whitestone, New York, USA; December 11, 1999

A: Riojasaurus was a plant-eater. For more information on Riojasaurus, click here.

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Q: What were the 2 types of dinosaurs? (not carnivore and herbivore)
from Sean R., Whitestone, New York, USA; December 11, 1999

A: Saurischians (lizard-hipped) and Ornithischians (bird-hipped). For more information on these divisions, click here.

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Q: Any idea how much a brachiosaurus egg might weigh?
from Susan H., Southport, CT, USA; December 10, 1999

A: Sauropods eggs in general were football-shaped, up to 1 foot (30 cm) long, and 10 inches (25 cm) wide. When fossilized dinosaur eggs are found, it is very difficult to deermine which genus of dinosaur it came from unless adults are found nearby (and even then, you cannot be sure they are the parents; they may be predators). For more information on dinosaur eggs, click here.

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Q: what was the fastest moving dinosaur
from larry, bloomington, in, USA; December 9, 1999

A: The ornithomimids, like Dromiceiomimus, Gallimimus and Ornithomimus were the fastest.

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Q: What did Massospondylus the dinosaur look like specificly?
from Sara B., Redding, CA, USA; December 9, 1999

A: For more information on Massospondylus, click here.

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Q: what is the wieght of the Coelophysis
from Shane S, New buffalo, MI, USA; December 9, 1999

A: Coelophysis weighed about 18 kg. For more information on Coelophysis, click here.

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Q: who invented the term dinosaur
from BRITTANY and DESTINY, WILDERSVILLE, TENNESSEE, USA; December 9, 1999

A: Richard Owen. Click here for more information on how dinosaurs were named.

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Q: Have you ever heard of a dinosaur that lived during the Paleozoic Era called a Casea? All I know is that it's a herbivore and it walked on 4 legs. I need it for a project. Any info is welcome!!!!!!!
from Hannah P,, USA; December 8, 1999

A: It wasn't a dinosaur; it was a pelycosaur, and it lived before the dinosaurs. For information on Casea, click here.

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Q: Could you list all the carnivorous dinasours for me?
from Lori T., austin, tx, USA; December 8, 1999

A: For a list of all the dinosaurs, click here; the dinosaurs whose authors are listed in red were carnivores, the ones in green were herbivores.

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Q: What is a sauros?
from OLIVIA B, KY, USA; December 8, 1999

A: Sauros is Greek for lizard. Click here for more information on how dinosaurs were named.

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Q: Allosaurus and caudipteryx is it a cold or hot blood dinosaurs.
from caroline g., baie-comeau, Quebec, Canada; December 8, 1999

A: No one knows, but Caudipteryx was very bird like, and may well have been warm-blooded. FOr more information on dinosaur metabolism, click here.

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Q: What is the meanting of Minmi and compsognathus
from jeanne l., baie-comeau, quebec, canada; December 8, 1999

A: Minmi was named for the Minmi rock formation in Queensland, Australia (where it was found) and Compsognathus means "pretty jaw."

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Q: I was wondering if you have any information on fossils in Minnesota, I am having a hard time finding information about it.
from Scott A., Chaska, Minnesota, USA; December 8, 1999

A: A single hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur was found in Minnesota. It is at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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Q: Could you give me some info on Casea dinosaurs?
from Hannah P.; December 8, 1999

A: Casea was a pelycosaur, another type of animal, and not a dinosaur. For information on Casea, click here.

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Q: What is the name of the dinasour that was recently found in China?
from Michael M, Kenmore, NYITYSTATE, USA; December 8, 1999

A: A lot of dinosaurs have been found in Liaoning, China recently, including Archaeoraptor liaoningensis and Sinornithosaurus millenii.

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Q: did t-rexs watch over their young or abandon them at birth?
from harding c., barksdale, texas, USA; December 8, 1999

A: No one knows. There is no fossil evidence one way or the other for T. rex. To know about this, you would have to find fossil evidence of parental care, like nests or burrows containing eggs, with adult fossils found nearby (like fosisl found of Maiasaura with nests, eggs, hatchlings, juveniles, and adult).

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Q: Why did the dinosurs become extcint? I need this fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from Matt O, Novi, MI, USA; December 8, 1999

A: There's no definitive answer as to why they went extinct. An asteroid impact may have caused the extinction, or it may have been cause by a huge increase the Earth's volcanism. For more information, see the section on the K-T extinction.

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Q: Were t-rexs scavengers or predators
from harding c., barksdale, texas, USA; December 8, 1999

A: There's a debate about that. For information on it, click here.

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Q: how old is t-rex
from monica o., campwood, texas, USA; December 8, 1999

A: T. rex lived from about 85 million years ago to 65 million years ago. For more information on T. rex, click here.

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Q: what is Apatosuarus used to be called?
from ?; December 8, 1999

A: Brontosaurus. For more information on Apatosaurus, click here.

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Q: what kind of dinosaure is t-rex?
from james r., New york, texas, USA; December 8, 1999

A: T. rex was a saurischian dinosaur (a lizard-hipped dinosuar), a theropod (meat-eater), and a tyrannosaurid (a group of dinosaurs similar to T. rex, with a big head, large teeth, small arms, and two-fingered hands. For more information on T. rex, click here.

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Q: how many dinosaur bodies have you found?
from harding c., barksdale, texas, USA; December 8, 1999

A: None. I'm a science writer, not a fossil hunter.

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Q: What does Teratosaurus eat?
from Ryan, Bascom, FL, USA; December 9, 1999

A: This rauischian was a carnivore (a meat-eater). For more information on Teratosaurus, click here.

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Q: how much meat could a T.rex tear off in one bite.
from Erin C., BOSSIER, LA, USA; December 7, 1999

A: About 500 pounds. FOr more information on T. rex, click here.

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Q: how and when did the saurischians and ornithischians die out?
from gina c., mahwah, new jersey, USA; December 7, 1999

A: The ornithischians and the sauropod branch of the saurischian dinosaurs died out during the K-T extinction, about 65 million years ago. The theropod branch of the dinosaurs probably evolved into the birds.

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Q: WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF GYMNOSPERM?
from RACHEL T., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, USA; December 7, 1999

A: Gymnosperms (meaning "naked seeds") are seed-bearing plants that that don't produce flowers. Examples of gymnosperms include conifers (like pines, redwoods, and fir), gingkos, seed ferns, cycadeoids, and cycads. These plants were very important to plant-eating dinosaurs.

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Q: How are fosisls formed?
from Dora M., Costa Mesa, CA, USA; December 7, 1999

A: For a page on how fossils are formed, click here.

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Q: What is a sauros?
from ?; December 7, 1999

A: Sauros means lizard in Greek.

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Q: what defenses and means of protection did the albertosaurus have against other dinosaurs if any???????? what dinosaurs did it defend itself from???????
from Jennifer, Costa Mesa, CA, USA; December 6, 1999

A: Allosaurus was the top predator in its environment. For more information on Allosaurus, click here.

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Q: Describe the locomotion of the Triceratops for food and escape from prey !!!!!
from Drew H., Redding, CA, USA; December 6, 1999

A: Triceratops was a quadruped - it walked and ran on four legs. In order to reach tall leaves, some dinosaurs may have been able to rear up on their hind legs, using thier tail as a "third leg." Triceratops probably did not do this; it probably just ate low-lying plants. For more information on Triceratops, click here.

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Q: who was the discoverer of the Apatosarus? I need this info quickly.
from Megan M., Sulpher, Louisiana, USA; December 6, 1999

A: The first Apatosaurus fossil was found by Earl Douglass in the Morrison Formation in Colorado, USA. Apatosaurus was named in 1877 by US paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh. For information on Apatosaurus, click here.

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Q: I have a report about a stegosarus due and i need some info FAST!! Anything will help
from Jordan T., Warren, PA, USA; December 6, 1999

A: For information on Stegosaurus, click here.

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Q: What is a triops?
from Ginger, Glennville, GA, USA; December 6, 1999

A: Triops are small, freshwater crustaceans (often found in rice fields) that look a little like trilobites. Also called tadpole shrimp (Triops longicaudatus), they are branchiopods with a hard exoskeleton, and sturdy mandibles (jaws). They eat animals and plants, and are sometimes cannibalistic. Their life span is about 20 to 40 days. Triops evolved towards the end of the Devonian period, very roughly 370 million years ago (long before the dinosaurs appeared).

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Q: I would like for you to help me found a Dinosaur that is called Gallimimus.
from Shenique P, Madison, WI, USA; December 6, 1999

A: For information on Gallimimus, click here.

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Q: I'm researching on Tyrannosaurus Rex and I have a few questions: 1) What is the latin name for Tyrannosaurus Rex? 2) Did the Tyrannosaurus Rex have any enemies? Thanks!
from Nicole C., Dededo, Guam; December 6, 1999

A: 1. Tyrannosaurus rex is the Latin name (Genus and species); unlike other naimals, dinosaurs are known by their scientific names.

2. No.

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Q: Do you have any information about the theory that a volcano caused the dinosaurs to go extinct
from Jil T., Kent, WA, USA; December 6, 1999

A: For other extinction theories, click here.

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Q: Is there a chance the dinosaurs could communicate through telepathic abilitys of extrordinary measures, or did they communicate through verbal organs in their throat as we do now?
from Lisa M., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; December 7, 1999

A: No, there is absolutely no reason to believe that dinosaurs were telepathic. Only a few reptiles communicate using sounds, like crocodilians and birds (using a cladistic definition of reptiles). Many reptiles use visual cue to communicate, like the frilled lizard, who puts up its frill for various reasons.

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Q: Could it be possible that new plants evolved which were toxic, thus killing off the dinosaurs?
from Lauren J., Chestertown, MD, USA; December 5, 1999

A: Many species of herbivores (plant-eaters) will die out if their food plants are replaced by other species of plants, you don't need to introduce poisonous plants. For example, pandas require bamboo; without it they would die out.

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Q: Is there any evidence that supports if dinosaurs were poisonous or venomous?
from Jaime D., JAckson, CA, USA; December 5, 1999

A: No.

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Q: How do you pronounce Ankylosaurus??
from Jimmy L., Georgia, USA; December 5, 1999

A: There are two pronunciations of Ankylosaurus, AN-kye-loh-SAWR-us and ang-KY-loh-SAWR-us.

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Q: What would be a good thing to teach preschoolers about dinosaurs?
from maren s, w jordan, utah, USA; December 4, 1999

A: We have a lot of dinosaur printouts which can be used by pre-readers as coloring pages. You can point out the most interesting points on the printouts, especially ones like the dinosaur size comparison printout and the printout that describes dinosaur defenses (claws, horns, armor, etc.). For more classroom activities and projects for preschoolers, click here.

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Q: HOW MANY EGGS DOES A VARIRAPTOR LAY?
from ?; December 4, 1999

A: No one knows; no Variraptor eggs have been found, only a few fossilized bones, claws, and teeth have been found so far. For more information on Variraptor, click here.

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Q: I would like to know if you could give me information on "Frabrosaurus." Thank you!
from Nicole C, Dededo, Guam; December 4, 1999

A: There's a dinosaur called Fabrosaurus (paleontologists think that it may be the same as Lesothosaurus). For information on Fabrosaurus, click here.

For information on Lesothosaurus, click here.

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Q: WHY DINOSAURS WERE SO BIG?
from Joseph III, DARBY, PA, USA; December 4, 1999

A: Not all the dinosaurs were huge, the smallest were the size of a chicken. As to why the really big ones were so big and why there are no really big land animals like that today, no one knows. For a page on dinosaur sizes, click here.

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Q: what is the full species name of ankylosaurus
from danielle t., coloma, michigan, USA; December 4, 1999

A: The type species for the genus Ankylosaurus is Ankylosaurus magniventris. Other Ankylosaurus species include A. acinacodens and A. tutus, but they probably belong to the genus Euoplocephalus and not Ankylosaurus. For more information on Ankylosaurus, click here.

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Q: What preditors did Dilophosaurs have and what hapend to Dilophosaurs eggs.
from Chris B, Pittsford, New York, USA; December 4, 1999

A: Dilophosaurus was the largest predator in its environment. Its eggs hatched into Dilophosaurus hatchlings. For more information on Dilophosaurus, click here.

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Q: what are the all the herbivores name and plese answer before 12-6-99.
from Alex G., west valley, Utah, USA; December 3, 1999

A: Many hundreds of dinosaurs were herbivores. I'm adding a feature to the list of dinosaur genera in which plant eaters have their suthors lsted in green; meat-eater have their authors listed in red.

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Q: Australian Kookaburra
from Bryan D., Kingsport, Tennessee, USA; December 3, 1999

A: I've added a kookaburra printout at: /subjects/birds/printouts/Kookaburraprintout.shtml

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Q: Where can I find information on the T Rex's babies?
from ?; December 2, 1999

A: For information on T. rex, click here.

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Q: what types of dinosaurs were discovered in louisiana
from regina s, patchogue, New York, USA; December 2, 1999

A: No dinosaurs have been found in Louisiana. For a list of dinosaurs found in North America (listed by state and province), click here.

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Q: How long are brachiosauruses
from ?; December 2, 1999

A: Brachiosaurus was about 85 feet long (26 m).

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Q: What kind of saurolophus fossils have been found?
from ?; December 2, 1999

A: Many skeletons have been found. For more information on Saurolophus, click here.

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Q: What is a Long Neck Dinosor?
from Newtown, USA; December 2, 1999

A: It is an unscientific term that refers to sauropod dinosuars, like Apatosaurus (which used to be known as Brontosaurus), Brachiosaurus, and Supersaurus.

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Q: Were there any poinsonous dinosaurs?
from Jack F., St. Charles, IL, USA; December 2, 1999

A: There may have been, but no one knows since poisons are not revealed in the fossil record.

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Q: I'm an eighth grader at V.S. Benavente Middle School and we are doing a project on different dinosaurs. I am researching on Apatosaurus and I have a few questions: 1) Did the Apatosaurus have any enemies? 2) What is the latin name for "Apatosaurus"? It would be a great help if you can answer these two questions for me. I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
from Nicole C., Dededo, Guam; December 2, 1999

A: Apatosaurus was so large that there were probably no dinosaurs that could kill a healthy adult, but no one knows for sure. The biggest meat-eater around at that time was Allosaurus.

Apatosaurus IS the Latin name for that dinosaur, and it means "deceptive lizard." All dinosaurs are known by their scientific names. FOr more information on Apatosaurus, click here.

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Q: How did the Monoclonius live and where it lived?
from ?; December 1, 1999

A: For information on Monoclonius, click here.

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Q: I am in the third grade and I have to answer this question. What Physical Structure does a Dinosaur have? What Social Structure(parenting, social system) for Dinosaur? What Survival Techniques( food, protection, reproduction) For Dinosaur? Were Dinosaurs Reptiles? How are dinosaurs and reptiles similar?
from Chad P., Highland Park, MI, USA; December 1, 1999

A: For a brief description of a dinosaur's physical structure, click here. For most dinosaurs, the social structure is unknown (due to a lack of fossils evidence), but some dinosaurs did travel in herds, and some, like Maiasaura, even cared for their young. For dinosuar diets (food), click here. For means of protection, click here. For reproduction, click here. Yes, dinosaurs were reptiles.

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Q: What kind of food do they eat and when did they get extinct .
from Lindsey; December 1, 1999

A: For information on dinosaur diets, click here. Dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years ago. For information on extinction, click here.

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Q: How many years ago was the Mesozoic era?
from Jason l, Boise, ID, USA; December 1, 1999

A: The mesozoic Era lasted from about 248 million to 65 million years ago. Fer more information on the Mesozoic, click here.

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Q: What was the name of the biest which looked like a whale, had a big jaw and hunted shark's ancestors?
from Terry; December 1, 1999

A: Plesiosaurs fit this description. For more information on Plesiosaurs, click here.

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Q: When was tyrannosaurus rex first described and by whom?
from ?; December 1, 1999

A: T. rex was first described by Osborn in 1905. For more information, click here.

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Q: Why did not the dinosaurs had bigger IQ even if they ruled on Earth longer than human ancestors?
from Toni R., LJUBLJANA, Slovenia; December 1, 1999

A: IQ doesn't measure survival skills and adaptability. For example, insects have a "low" IQ, but have done very well in terms of survival.

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Q: Why do dinosaurs have such long names?
from Lauren J., Winter Garden, FL, USA; December 1, 1999

A: That's just the way most paleontologists name them. A few have short names, like Drinker and Irritator. FOr more information on how dinosaurs are named, click here.

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