Rida 
Dinosaurs are animals that were on this earth nearly 233 million years ago. There’s been a lot of research about them, and we now know that there were almost 1000 species of non-avian dinosaurs or dinosaurs that could not fly. Today, dinosaurs are regarded with much interest, especially by kids who tend to love them. Here are a few long dino names for you to learn and some fun facts to go with it!
Abelisaurus
Can you say A-Belly-Soar-Us? Yeah! Did you know there’s only been one Abelisaurus skull found in Argentina in 1983? Everything we know about it is what palaeontologists have figured out from that one skull. These apex predators (those that prey on other animals but aren’t preyed upon) lived in the late Cretaceous period. With a medium-sized head, it was a biped that was carnivorous.
Fukuiraptor
The name sounds Asian, right? Scientists found this medium-sized carnivore in Fukui, Japan, and its name means the Thief of Fukui. Try to say Fu-Koo-i-raptur. That’s cool! Researchers believe this dino lived in the early-to-mid Cretaceous period and was a biped.
Tangvayosaurus
Let’s see what we know about this herbivorous dinosaur. First, say Tongue-vi-o-soar-us. Yep! Like the Fukuiraptor, this one comes from Asia as well. Scientists have found its remains in Thailand and believe that this quadruped dino lived in the Cretaceous period.
Macrauchenia
Here’s a dino that looked something like a camel and an antelope mixed up. Weird, right? So the Mak-row-chee-nia got its name thanks to its long neck. It was an ungulate, which means it had hooves, was a quadruped and a herbivore. Since it ate plants, its long neck was handy to help it reach the leaves on higher branches of trees. It lived in South America in the Pleistocene age.
Quetzalcoatlus
Sounds like a mouthful, I know. It’s actually easier to say than you’d imagine; just kwet-zil-co-atlis! Scientists named it after a Mexican feathered serpent god – Quetzalcóatl. The jury’s still out on whether this is a flying reptile or a dinosaur. Whichever they finally decide, you have to admit; it’s a pretty cool creature to have flying around right. They are the size of a small aircraft and would sometimes swoop down on baby dinos and eat them!
Here are some cool facts about dinosaurs just for you!
- Where did the word ‘Dinosaur’ come from? It was coined by a dinosaur specialist Richard Owen. Dienos (“terrible”) + sauros (“reptile”) = Dinosaur!
- Paleontologists are scientists that specify in studying fossils and life on earth in the past. Richard Owen was therefore a famous paleontologist!
- Nigersaurus is a type of dinosaur which had nearly 500 teeth!
- Did you know that a T-Rex called Scotty is said to be the longest-living dino?
- Some dinosaur skulls had holes in them to keep them light and cool!
- The dinosaur with the longest name is the 23-letter Micropachycephalosaurus. Can you pronounce that? My-kro-pack-i-sif-alo-soar-us. Whew!
- Dinosaurs seem to be creatures that liked to travel because their fossil remains were found in every single continent!
What is your favourite type of Dinosaur and why? Let us know in the comments below because we love to hear from you! If you are looking for some fun content just for kids, here you are. Enjoy browsing, and share your favourite articles and quizzes with your friends!
