Top Ten Well-Known Dinosaurs

They’re the former masters of this planet, huge beasts that saw action millions of years before the first human was even born. They were the dinosaurs, named after the Greek words that mean “terrible lizards.” The ten dinosaurs on this list represent some of the most well-known dinosaur species around.

10. Iguanodon

An Iguanodon

The Iguanodon is the most famous of the Ornithopods, the “duck-billed” dinosaurs. They lived during the early Cretaceous period, some 140 million years ago. The Iguanodon is a large bipedal (two-legged) dinosaur. It is a herbivore, which means that it primarily eats plant tissue. The Iguanodon is also notable for the spikes located on its thumbs, used primarily as weapons against enemies.

9. Pachycephalosaurus

A Pachycephalosaurus

This species of dinosaur is known only through a single specimen, a skull found in the central United States, but the unusual features of this skull made it one of the most interesting dinosaurs around. The skull is characterized by its very thick skull roof. The dome is as thick as 10 inches, which encloses the Pachycephalosaurus’ tiny brain. A probable use of the thick skull would be defense or mating purposes, banging their heads against each other like antelope and bulls today.

8. Apatosaurus

An Apatosaurus

Apatosaurus is a well-known plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Jurassic period, 150 to 200 million years ago. Also known as Brontosaurus, the dinosaur best represents the sauropods, a group of dinosaurs known for their immense size and for the length of their necks and tail. The purpose of the extreme length of the necks is debated, but many believe that it was used to reach the topmost parts of tall trees, where the freshest, most nutritious leaves are located.

7. Stegosaurus

The Stegosaurus is a herbivorous, four-legged dinosaur well-known for the large, upright plates located on its back, the spikes on its tail, and the assumption that this dinosaur is very dumb. The dumbness factor lies in the fact that its brain is no larger than a walnut. Its name means “roofed lizard,” referring to the plates. Paleontologists are not sure about the purpose of these plates, but it is believed that the Stegosaurus uses them to control its body temperature.

6. Troodon

A small Troodon

Troodon is a small, bird-like dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period. Its name means “wounding tooth,” which refers to the dinosaur’s teeth, which feature distinct serrations. Troodon was one of the first dinosaurs to be discovered in North America.

Approximately 3 feet tall and weighing about 130 lbs, a Troodon has bones and limbs that suggest that the dinosaur is an agile, reflexive hunter. The serrations found on its teeth are also similar to those found in herbivorous dinosaurs, which suggests that Troodon is an omnivore, or an animal that eats both plants and animal tissue.

The most notable thing about Troodon is its intelligence. Paleontologists believe that the Troodon possessed intelligence higher than most animals of its time. It is even proposed that if it weren’t for the widespread extinction, the Troodon had the possibility to evolve into a being very similar to humans. A statue made by paleontologist Dale Russell and artist Ron Sequin depicts how an evolved Troodon could have looked: a reptilian humanoid with lizard eyes and green skin.

5. Velociraptor

A Velociraptor

Velociraptor is one of the well-known small, predatory dinosaurs. About the size of a turkey, the Velociraptor is nonetheless said to be a cunning and calculating meat-eater. It is believed that this dinosaur hunted in groups, not unlike many carnivorous animals today, such as wolves and big cats. A full-grown Velociraptor could weigh up to 33lbs.

Recently, scientists discovered some evidence that the Velociraptor may have been feathered. This proves the theory that birds descended from the dinosaurs, and that the feathers came first before the birds’ ability to fly.

4. Parasaurolophus

A Parasaurolophus

The Parasaurolophus is a duck-billed dinosaur that roamed the planet during the late Cretaceous period. It is noted for its very long crest, extending out the back of its head. The crest is longer than the dinosaur’s skull. Scientists think that this crest was used by Parasaurolophus to produce foghorn-like sounds, presumably for mating purposes. This crest made the Parasaurolophus a highly-recognizable species of dinosaur, and it is often portrayed in many feature films and documentaries.

3. Deinonychus

A Deinonychus

According to paleontologists, Deinonychus is one of the most agile predators of the early Cretaceous period. This well-known member of the Dromaeosaurid family is a two-legged dinosaur with a height of about 11 feet. Its name is derived from two Greek words that mean “terrible claw,” referring to a prominent claw that protrudes from the second toe of each foot. The dinosaur uses the huge claws to slash through its prey. Recent findings have proven that, like the related Velociraptor, the Deinonychus had feathers.

2. Triceratops

The Triceratops

Triceratops is the most well-known member of the Ceratopsids, a family of herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by their elaborate frills and horns. The Triceratops is about 10 feet high, 30 feet long, and weighs around 10 tons. It can be likened to a rhinoceros. It walks on all fours, has a large armored frill that protects its head, and has three long horns on its head used to defend itself against predators. Because it is always pitted against large predators such as the Tyrannosaurus in books and movies, the Triceratops is often regarded as a champion of the herbivores.

1. Tyrannosaurus Rex

The mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex

No dinosaur list is complete without any mention of Tyrannosaurus Rex. It is one of the largest flesh-eating dinosaurs that ever lived. It’s about 40 feet high and can weigh more than 6 tons. The tyrannosaurus is bipedal, and its two legs and tail are used to counterbalance its huge head. Tyrannosaurus is notable because of its miniature forelimbs, a relatively useless feature compared to its powerful legs and mouth. There is some debate whether it’s a top predator or a just a powerful scavenger, but no one contests the power of its bite.

Recently, larger carnivorous dinosaurs have been discovered, but none has yet beaten the popularity gained by Tyrannosaurus. Affectionately called T. Rex or Rex by the general public, the “king of the tyrant lizards” has captured the imagination of science and art alike. No dinosaur has been portrayed in pop culture more than the Tyrannosaurus. From “Jurassic Park” and “King Kong” to Barney and Rex in “Toy Story,” the T. Rex has been used both as a symbol of fear and of awe.

The dinosaurs were among the most successful animals that ever lived. They evolved into numerous shapes and sizes, but all of them we only know of through fossilized remains. In addition, not only are they wonders of science, but they have also captured the imagination of popular culture. They represent a time that has long past and a window to a world that once was.

There are over a hundred species of Dinosaurs and these are just 10 of the well-known Dinosaurs that walked the Earth. Some Dinosaur discovered in 2007 and some are yet to be discovered