From having dinosaurs’ soft toys to dinosaur cartoons, dinosaurs have captured our imagination from childhood, yet most people can only name a handful of these prehistoric creatures.
This gap in knowledge makes it hard to appreciate the full range of these common animals that once ruled the Earth.
Do dinosaurs intrigue you? If yes, this guide is perfect for identifying and understanding the most common dinosaurs.
From the towering T-Rex to the speedy Velociraptor- this blog includes exclusive facts about size, diet, and unique physical traits that distinguish these creatures.
The blog’s sections cover 55 common dinosaurs and clearly describe their notable features.
When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth?
Before entering the dinosaurs’ world, let’s have quick insights into their tenures.
| Period | Key Event |
|---|---|
| Triassic Period | First dinosaurs appear |
| Jurassic Period | Golden age of giant dinosaurs |
| Cretaceous Period | Final dinosaur era |
You will taken aback to know that the story of dinosaurs began around 240 million years ago.
These remarkable creatures ruled our planet for about 175 million years, finally dying about 65 million years ago when a massive asteroid hit Earth.
Let’s step into the prehistoric times.
Scientists learned about dinosaurs in the early 1800s when British geologist William Buckland found and named the first dinosaur fossil.
He called it Megalosaurus. Soon after, more common dinosaurs like Iguanodon and Hylaeosaurus were found.
The last dinosaurs lived during the Cretaceous Period. They included well-known types such as Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops.
Meet the Intriguing Prehistoric Giants: Common Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs are known for their different periods, sizes, diets, and habitats. Each has unique traits, from massive plant-eaters like Brachiosaurus to fierce hunters like Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Let’s learn what are the most common dinosaurs-
1. Tyrannosaurus Rex
- Period: Late Cretaceous (68-66 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Up to 40 feet long, 12 feet tall, powerful jaws with 60 teeth
- Habitat: Forests and open plains of North America
- Famous Findings: “Sue,” the most complete T-Rex skeleton, found in South Dakota in 1990
2. Triceratops
- Period: Late Cretaceous (68-66 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Three horns, bony frill, up to 30 feet long, 10 feet tall
- Habitat: Plains of North America
- Famous Findings: “Lane,” a complete Triceratops with skin impressions, found in Montana
3. Stegosaurus
- Period: Late Jurassic (155-150 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Large plates along the back, spiked tail, up to 30 feet long
- Habitat: Dry, open woodlands of North America
- Famous Findings: “Sophie,” the most complete specimen,is on display at London’s Natural History Museum
4. Velociraptor
- Period: Late Cretaceous (75-71 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Feathered, sickle claw on foot, about 6 feet long
- Habitat: Semi-arid areas of Mongolia
- Famous Findings: “Fighting Dinosaurs” specimen showing Velociraptor and Protoceratops in combat
5. Brachiosaurus
- Period: Late Jurassic (154-153 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Long neck, up to 85 feet long, 40-50 feet tall
- Habitat: Forests of North America and Africa
- Famous Findings: The first specimen found in Colorado in 1900
6. Ankylosaurus
- Period: Late Cretaceous (68-66 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Armored back, club tail, up to 30 feet long
- Habitat: Plains of western North America
- Famous Findings: A complete skeleton found in Montana in 1906
7. Diplodocus
- Period: Late Jurassic (154-152 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Extremely long neck and tail, up to 90 feet long
- Habitat: Forests of western North America
- Famous Findings: “Dippy,” the renowned cast displayed in museums worldwide
8. Parasaurolophus
- Period: Late Cretaceous (76-73 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Long, curved head crest, up to 30 feet long
- Habitat: Woodlands of North America
- Famous Findings: The first complete skull was found in Alberta, Canada, in 1920
9. Spinosaurus
- Period: Mid-Cretaceous (112-97 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Sail on back, up to 50 feet long, semi-aquatic
- Habitat: River systems of North Africa
- Famous Findings: The first remains found in Egypt in 1912, destroyed in WWII bombing
10. Allosaurus
- Period: Late Jurassic (155-150 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Large head, sharp teeth, up to 30 feet long
- Habitat: Plains of North America and Europe
- Famous Findings: “Big Al,” a nearly complete skeleton found in Wyoming
11. Pteranodon (flying reptile)
- Period: Late Cretaceous (86-84 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Wingspan up to 20 feet, toothless beak
- Habitat: Coastal areas of North America
- Famous Findings: Multiple specimens from Kansas chalk beds
12. Iguanodon
- Period: Early Cretaceous (126-125 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Thumb spike, up to 33 feet long
- Habitat: Forests of Europe, North America, and Asia
- Famous Findings: 31 complete skeletons found in Belgian coal mine
13. Brontosaurus
- Period: Late Jurassic (157-152 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Long neck, whip-like tail, up to 72 feet long
- Habitat: Forests of North America
- Famous Findings: The first skeleton was found in Wyoming in 1879
14. Compsognathus
- Period: Late Jurassic (150-145 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Small body, about 3 feet long, feathered
- Habitat: Europe’s coastal islands
- Famous Findings: Well-preserved specimens from Germany and France
15. Dilophosaurus
- Period: Early Jurassic (193 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Double crests on the head, up to 20 feet long
- Habitat: Forests of North America
- Famous Findings: The first specimens were found in Arizona in 1942
16. Gallimimus
- Period: Late Cretaceous (70 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Ostrich-like, long legs, up to 20 feet long
- Habitat: Plains of Mongolia
- Famous Findings: Multiple skeletons found in Mongolia in 1964
17. Apatosaurus
- Period: Late Jurassic (152-151 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Long neck, up to 75 feet long
- Habitat: Forests of western North America
- Famous Findings: The first skeleton was found in Colorado in 1877
18. Archaeopteryx (bird-like dinosaur)
- Period: Late Jurassic (150 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Feathered, about 1.5 feet long
- Habitat: Tropical lagoons of Europe
- Famous Findings: The first fossil was found in Germany in 1861, showing a link between dinosaurs and birds
19. Pachycephalosaurus
- Period: Late Cretaceous (70-65 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Thick, domed skull, up to 15 feet long
- Habitat: Forests of North America
- Famous Findings: The first dome found in Montana in 1859
20. Deinonychus
- Period: Early Cretaceous (115-108 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Large “killing claw,” feathered, up to 11 feet long
- Habitat: Forests of North America
- Famous Findings: Yale expedition finds in Montana in the 1960s
21. Maiasaura
- Period: Late Cretaceous (76.7 million years ago)
- Physical Traits: Duck-billed, up to 30 feet long
- Habitat: Plains of North America
- Famous Findings: Egg Mountain in Montana, showing parental care
Other Common Dinosaurs You Should Know About
22. Microraptor
23. Utahraptor
24. Carnotaurus
25. Protoceratops
26. Argentinosaurus
27. Giganotosaurus
28. Parasaurolophus
29. Styracosaurus
30. Kentrosaurus
31. Sinosauropteryx
32. Psittacosaurus
33. Pachyrhinosaurus
34. Corythosaurus
35. Ceratosaurus
36. Therizinosaurus
37. Oviraptor
38. Edmontosaurus
39. Torosaurus
40. Suchomimus
41. Amargasaurus
42. Baryonyx
43. Plateosaurus
44. Dreadnoughtus
45. Acrocanthosaurus
46. Yutyrannus
47. Deinocheirus
48. Carcharodontosaurus
49. Lambeosaurus
50. Coelophysis
51. Chasmosaurus
52. Majungasaurus
53. Yi qi
54. Kosmoceratops
55. Cryolophosaurus
What Caused Dinosaurs to Become Extinct?
After ruling Earth for 160 million years, dinosaurs vanished about 66 million years ago. Two main factors contributed to their disappearance:
Asteroid Impact:
A massive space rock crashed near present-day Mexico, creating dust clouds that blocked sunlight worldwide. Plants died first, followed by plant-eaters and then meat-eaters. This chain reaction wiped out 75% of all species on Earth in what became a major extinction event.
Volcanic Activity:
Huge eruptions in India’s Deccan Traps released harmful gases, acidifying the oceans. These changes likely weakened dinosaur populations before the asteroid hit, setting the stage for their eventual extinction.
Despite these catastrophes, some creatures managed to survive:
- Small mammals that could hide underground
- Birds – which evolved from dinosaurs and are still with us today
- Birds are considered living dinosaurs!
The story of dinosaur extinction shows how sudden changes in our planet can reshape life.
While most dinosaurs couldn’t adapt to these rapid changes, their legacy lives on through birds. This reminds us that life finds ways to continue, even after the most devastating events.
Fun Facts: Traits That Made Dinosaurs Famous
Here is the catch to the code of key characteristics that helped dinosaurs survive-
- Distinctive Bone Structure: Legs extended straight down, unlike other reptiles
- Size Range: From chicken-sized Compsognathus to enormous Argentinosaurus
- Specialized Teeth: Flat for plant-eaters, sharp and serrated for meat-eaters
- Efficient Movement: Toe-walking made them faster and more agile
- Defense Mechanisms: Many had armor, spikes, frills, or horns for protection
- Parental Care: Built nests and looked after their young, unlike most reptiles
- Growth Patterns: Bones contain rings that reveal age and growth rates
These features allowed dinosaurs to adapt to diverse environments, from humid jungles to arid plains, finding successful ways to feed, move, and protect themselves for over 160 million years.
Conclusion: Stepping Out Of the Pre-Historic Times
This overview of common dinosaurs helps readers understand what made these ancient creatures so alluring.
Examining their distinctive traits helps readers appreciate how dinosaurs adapted to their environments over millions of years.
Knowing dinosaur characteristics provides valuable insights into Earth’s natural history and evolution. Looking at these prehistoric animals shows how life has changed on our planet.
If you are inclined toward animal studies, check out our other guide, Animals That Start with ‘P’ and Birds That Start with C, to continue this learning path.
The world of creatures past and present offers endless chances to explore.
