archosaurs
Dinosaurs and crocodilians
Archosaurs are a group of reptiles that includes dinosaurs, pterosaurs, crocodilians, and birds.
The name means "ruling reptiles," reflecting their dominance during the Mesozoic Era.
Modern archosaurs are represented only by crocodiles, alligators, and birds—the latter being the living descendants of theropod dinosaurs.
Preserved ancient organism traces
- excavationAct of unearthing
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
petrification · amber · coprolites · imprints · paleobiology · phylogeny · cladistics · taxonomy
First Mesozoic period
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- PangeaPrehistoric unified landmass
- GondwanaAncient southern supercontinent
asteroid · climate · conifers · cycads · gymnosperms · prehistoric · dominance · radiation
Large freshwater crocodilians
- caimansNeotropical aquatic reptiles
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
predators · riverine · estuarine · swamp · marshland · mangrove · basking · snout
Prehistoric transitional flying creature
- avianOf or concerning birds
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- beaksHorny bird mouths
wishbone · endothermic · nesting · eggs · descendants · evolution
Fast predatory dinosaur genus
- BrachiosaurusTall sauropod genus
- SpinosaurusSail-spined Cretaceous theropod
- IguanodonOrnithopod genus with distinctive thumb spikes
- GiganotosaurusLarge Argentine carnivorous dinosaur
bipedalism · herbivorous · carnivorous · apex · megafauna · extinction · nesting · hatchlings
fossils
Preserved ancient organism traces
- excavationAct of unearthing
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
fossilization · petrification · amber · coprolites · imprints · paleobiology · phylogeny · cladistics · taxonomy · specimens
Triassic
First Mesozoic period
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- PangeaPrehistoric unified landmass
Gondwana · asteroid · climate · conifers · cycads · gymnosperms · prehistoric · dominance · radiation · diversification
alligators
Large freshwater crocodilians
- caimansNeotropical aquatic reptiles
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
ambush · predators · riverine · estuarine · swamp · marshland · mangrove · basking · snout · jaws
Archaeopteryx
Prehistoric transitional flying creature
beaks · wishbone · endothermic · nesting · eggs · descendants · evolution
Velociraptor
Fast predatory dinosaur genus
- BrachiosaurusTall sauropod genus
- SpinosaurusSail-spined Cretaceous theropod
- IguanodonOrnithopod genus with distinctive thumb spikes
Giganotosaurus · bipedalism · herbivorous · carnivorous · apex · megafauna · extinction · nesting · hatchlings
Pterodactylus
Extinct flying reptile genus