Top 10 Most Famous Dinosaurs: Facts and Myths

Dinosaurs have been a topic of interest for people around the world for generations. From the tiny compsognathus to the massive argentinosaurus, these ancient reptiles give a sense of wonder and mystery. In this blog, we will explore the top 10 most famous dinosaurs, delving into interesting facts and dispelling some common myths.

1. Tyrannosaurus Rex

Art by Mark Witton

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Tyrannosaurus rex
• Period: Late Cretaceous (68-66 million years ago)
• Diet: Carnivorous
• Size: Up to 40 feet long and 12 feet tall at the hips
• Location: North America

Myths:

• Myth 1: T. rex could run at speeds of 60 mph.
  • Reality: Recent studies suggest that T. rex could run at speeds of around 12-20 mph, which is fast enough to catch its prey but not the extreme speeds often depicted in movies.
• Myth 2: T. rex had poor vision.
  • Reality: T. rex likely had excellent vision, with forward-facing eyes that provided depth perception.

2. Velociraptor

Art by  Gabriel Ugueto

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Velociraptor mongoliensis
• Period: Late Cretaceous (75-71 million years ago)
• Diet: Carnivorous
• Size: About 6 feet long and 1.6 feet tall at the hips
• Location: Mongolia

Myths:

• Myth 1: Velociraptors were much larger than they actually were.
  • Reality: Popularized by movies, Velociraptors are often shown as human-sized. In reality, they were about the size of a turkey.
• Myth 2: Velociraptors hunted in packs like wolves.
  • Reality: There is limited evidence to support the idea that Velociraptors hunted in coordinated packs.

3. Triceratops

Art by Mohamad Haghani

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Triceratops horridus
• Period: Late Cretaceous (68-66 million years ago)
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Size: Up to 30 feet long and 10 feet tall
• Location: North America

Myths:

• Myth 1: Triceratops used their horns primarily for combat.
  • Reality: While Triceratops may have used their horns in combat, they were likely also used for display and species recognition.
• Myth 2: Triceratops and T. rex were natural enemies.
  • Reality: While it's possible they encountered each other, there is no concrete evidence to suggest they were natural enemies.

4. Stegosaurus

Art by Alexandra Marcu

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Stegosaurus stenops
• Period: Late Jurassic (155-150 million years ago)
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Size: Up to 30 feet long and 14 feet tall
• Location: North America

Myths:

• Myth 1: Stegosaurus had a second brain in its tail.
  • Reality: The "second brain" was actually an enlargement of the spinal cord. Stegosaurus had a single brain in its head.
• Myth 2: The plates on Stegosaurus' back were used for defense.
  • Reality: The plates were more likely used for thermoregulation and display.

5. Brachiosaurus

Art by Pearl Studs

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Brachiosaurus altithorax
• Period: Late Jurassic (154-153 million years ago)
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Size: Up to 85 feet long and 40 feet tall
• Location: North America

Myths:

• Myth 1: Brachiosaurus lived in swamps to support its weight.
  • Reality: Brachiosaurus was not adapted to swamps or an aquatic environment. Being in water up to its shoulders would have caused it to suffocate due to the water pressure against its body. 
• Myth 2: Brachiosaurus could not raise its head high.
  • Reality: Brachiosaurus had a long neck and was likely able to browse at great heights.

6. Spinosaurus

Art by Louis Richardsons

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
• Period: Late Cretaceous (100-93 million years ago)
• Diet: Carnivorous (primarily fish)
• Size: Up to 59 feet long and 23 feet tall
• Location: North Africa

Myths:

• Myth 1: Spinosaurus was a land-based predator.
  • Reality: Spinosaurus is believed to have been semi-aquatic, hunting primarily in water.
• Myth 2: Spinosaurus' sail was used for display.
  • Reality: The sail may have had multiple functions, including thermoregulation and display.

7. Allosaurus

Art by marvellous_pastv2 on Instagram

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Allosaurus fragilis
• Period: Late Jurassic (155-150 million years ago)
• Diet: Carnivorous
• Size: Up to 39 feet long and 16 feet tall
• Location: North America

Myths:

• Myth 1: Allosaurus was the top predator of its time.
  • Reality: While a dominant predator, Allosaurus coexisted with other large theropods like torvosaurus and ceratosaurus. 
• Myth 2: Allosaurus hunted alone.
  • Reality: There is some evidence suggesting Allosaurus may have hunted in groups.

8. Diplodocus

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Diplodocus longus
• Period: Late Jurassic (154-150 million years ago)
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Size: Up to 90 feet long
• Location: North America

Myths:

• Myth 1: Diplodocus used its tail as a whip for defense.
  • Reality: While possible, the primary function of the tail was likely balance.
• Myth 2: Diplodocus had a very small head for its body size.
  • Reality: This is true; Diplodocus had a small head relative to its massive body.

9. Ankylosaurus

Art by unknown

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Ankylosaurus magniventris
• Period: Late Cretaceous (68-66 million years ago)
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Size: Up to 33 feet long and 5 feet tall
• Location: North America

Myths:

• Myth 1: Ankylosaurus used its tail club only for defense.
  • Reality: The tail club was likely used for defense, but could also have been used in social interactions.
• Myth 2: Ankylosaurus was slow and cumbersome.
  • Reality: Ankylosaurus was likely more agile than commonly depicted, capable of maneuvering quickly when necessary.

10. Pachycephalosaurus

Art by Julius T Csotonyi

Facts:

• Scientific Name: Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis
• Period: Late Cretaceous (70-65 million years ago)
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Size: Up to 15 feet long and 10 feet tall
• Location: North America

Myths:

• Myth 1: Pachycephalosaurus used its dome-shaped skull for head-butting battles.
  • Reality: While the thick skull may have been used in intraspecific combat or display, recent studies suggest it was not robust enough for head-on collisions.
• Myth 2: Pachycephalosaurus was a solitary animal.
  • Reality: Fossil evidence suggests Pachycephalosaurus may have lived in social groups, similar to modern herd dynamics.

Conclusion

Dinosaurs are a subject of fascination and study. By reading the facts and myths about these incredible creatures, we gain a better understanding of their lives and the world they inhabited. Whether depicted in movies or studied in museums, dinosaurs remind us of the rich history of life on Earth.