Useless Knowledge about Dinosaurs: Amazing facts about the giants of prehistory | Prehistoric general knowledge for children and adults

By Mia Mirillia

Useless knowledge about dinosaurs

Enter the fascinating, surprising, and sometimes bizarre world of dinosaurs like never before! In Useless Knowledge About Dinosaurs, you'll discover incredible facts and amazing anecdotes about these primeval giants that once ruled the planet. This collection will pique your curiosity and amaze you at the same time.

Have you ever wondered why some dinosaurs had feathers even though they couldn't fly? Or did you know that there were dinosaurs that scurried through prehistoric forests with a size only that of a pigeon? But it gets even better! Did you know that some theories suggest that bees may have contributed to the mass extinction of dinosaurs, or that paleontologists are using laser technology to analyze dinosaur footprints?

"Useless Knowledge about Dinosaurs" offers not only spectacular insights about these creatures, but also glimpses into the compelling story of their discovery. Delve into gripping stories of paleontologists who were embroiled in bitter rivalries and learn about scandals that rocked the scientific community.

But that's not all! In this volume, we explore how cutting-edge technologies-from artificial intelligence to the application of synchrotron beams-are revolutionizing the way we study and interpret dinosaur fossils.

Whether you are a passionate dinosaur enthusiast or simply want to expand your knowledge, this book will captivate you on every page. It is not only a journey into the past, but also a tribute to man's relentless curiosity and love of discovery.

Be enchanted by "Useless Knowledge about Dinosaurs" and embark on a journey that will take you through millions of years of Earth's history and the incredible stories of the creatures that once lived here.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marcus Jungnickel
• Release date: Oct 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222464008

Book preview

Table of Contents

1. strange body features

Curious comb shapes and horn structures

Pachycephalosaurus, known for its thick, domed skull, probably used it not only for defense but also for ritualized fights with rivals. In doing so, they probably clashed heads like today's ibexes, with the dome-shaped skull serving as a kind of shock absorber.

Some horned dinosaurs, such as Triceratops, had powerful horns that served more than just defensive purposes. Paleontologists suspect that these horns were also used for communication among conspecifics, for example to signal rank and fertility.

The Parasaurolophus is famous for its long, curved comb that protrudes from the back of its head. This comb not only served for recognition and possibly temperature regulation, but may have also served as a resonator for sounds. By blowing air through the comb, Parasaurolophus may have produced a series of low-pitched sounds to communicate with its conspecifics.

Monoclonius, whose name means unicorn, had a single large horn on its snout. This horn could have helped the Monoclonius defend itself against predators like the Tyrannosaurus Rex, but it could also have been a sign of the opposite sex or to distinguish it from other species.

Stegosaurus, known for its dorsal plates and spiky tail, possessed plates that served not only to ward off predators, but also to thermoregulate. Blood-flowing veins in the plates may have helped dissipate excess body heat.

There were dinosaurs like Nasutoceratops whose horns were strongly pointed forward, much like the horns of a modern buffalo. These forward-pointing horns may have enabled the dinosaur to navigate through dense vegetation without getting stuck.

Dilophosaurus, familiar from movies and pop culture, is often depicted with a pair of decorative combs on its head. However, there is no concrete evidence that these combs served to store or spray venom, as some depictions suggest. The exact function of the combs remains a mystery.

Most people think that only herbivores had horns, but some predators, like Carnotaurus, actually had horns. These short, bull-like horns were located just above the Carnotaurus' eyes and may have served as a kind of shield in battle.

Cosmoceratops, a relative of Triceratops, had the largest known number of horns on its head, 15 in all. This large number of horns may have helped the dinosaur identify itself within its species or signal potential mates.

Another dinosaur with a striking head structure is the oviraptor. Its name means egg robber because the first fossil was found next to a nest with eggs. The crown or crest on the head of the Oviraptor could have served to amplify sounds or regulate heat.

Amargasaurus, a long-necked sauropod dinosaur, possessed two rows of dorsal spines along its neck and back. It is speculated that these spines were connected to the skin like a sail, but their exact function, whether for temperature regulation, defense, or signaling, remains unclear.

Some dinosaurs, such as Diabloceratops, had not only horns on their heads, but also a decorative shield or frill. This frill could have served as a defense against predators, but it is more likely that it had a social function, perhaps to distinguish itself from other members of the same species.

Centrosaurus, a relative of Triceratops, had a single large horn on its snout and a distinctive frill with two other horns facing forward. This unusual arrangement of horns may have allowed the dinosaur to more effectively suppress vegetation or use them in combat against predators.

The Stygimoloch, whose name means Demon of the Styx, had a particularly conspicuous skull with several horns and a large, dome-shaped head. This dome-shaped head may have been used for head duels with rivals, similar to the Pachycephalosaurus.

The horns and combs of dinosaurs were not always solid and ossified. Some, like Edmontosaurus, had a fleshy comb that could probably be filled with blood to take on color and thus serve for communication or as a signal.

Some paleontological studies suggest that dinosaur horns and crests may have been very colorful. Pigment cells found in fossils suggest that these structures may have been colored in bright reds, blues, or even striped and spotted patterns.

Protoceratops, often referred to as the sheep dinosaur, possessed an impressive frill, although it lacked the large horns of its more famous relative, Triceratops. This frill may have had a defensive function or simply served identification and social communication.

The nose horn of Einiosaurus was directed forward and had the shape of a large hook. While it looks like a useful tool for defense, it may also have played a role in ritual combat or identification.

Corythosaurus had a hollow, helmet-like crest on its head, which, like the crest of Parasaurolophus, may have served as a resonator for sounds. This particular comb could also have served to regulate heat or simply been displayed to impress conspecifics.

Finally, Lambeosaurus was another dinosaur with an impressive comb that served both recognition and communication purposes. The different shapes and sizes of these combs may indicate that they served not only to identify conspecifics, but also to attract mates.

Unusual tail shapes and functions

Known for its striking back plates, Stegosaurus also had a spiked tail, which it used as a thagomizer. This tail was equipped with four sharp spines, which he probably used to defend himself against predators. Incidentally, the name Thagomizer does not come from a scientific