How do you classify a dinosaur?

To figure out how many different "kinds" of something there are, first we have to come up with some kind of classification system to set some ground rules and have a way of distinguishing one organism from another. The way scientists classify organisms, such as animals (which as we recall, includes dinosaurs) is called (big word alert) taxonomy. This is done by making a series of comparisons between all organisms and then putting them into groups. (There is also another method which we will get into in a later topic.)

The system, which goes from greatest (largest amount of organisms) to smallest (down to a single organism) has seven major levels. They are:

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

OK. I promised easy terms, and I'm going to stick to that promise. To explain how taxonomy works, we're going to use the trusty family pet, Dino, an Old English Sheep dog.

Now, Dino is an animal, so he belongs to the Animalia Kingdom.

Dino also has a vertebrate column, meaning he has a solid backbone with a spinal column. This puts Dino in the Chordata (meaning, they have a spinal column with a nerve running down the inside) Phylum.

And, because Dino is covered in hair (and fur) and was fed by it's mom when it was a pup, make him the Mammalia Class.

I'm sure Dino would rather have a steak for dinner than, say, broccoli, so that would put him in the Carnivora Order.

There are some other aspects about him such as sharp claws and canine teeth, that put him in the Canidae Family, where all dogs, wolves, and foxes belong.

This is further broken down into the Canis Genus. Which is made up of foxes and dogs.

And the "family" dog is a member of the "familiaris" Species.

Putting Tyrannosaurus rex through this classification system, it would look like this:

KINGDOM: Animalia

PHYLUM: Chordata

CLASS: Archosauria

ORDER: Saurischia

FAMILY: Tyrannosauroidea

GENUS: Tyrannosaurus


When people hear dinosaur names, they are usually hearing the genus name. Sometimes, the genus followed by the species name. For instance, one of the most famous of all dinosaurs is Tyrannosaurus rex. Tyrannosaurus being the genus and rex being the species. And, incidentally, the way I have written it is the scientifically correct way to write an organism's name, uppercase genus, lowercase species, both italicized.

Now that we know how to classify them, lets take a look at the various different kinds there are.

Next-What Kinds.

What is a dinosaur?

A very good question. I'm glad I asked it. Well, the simple answer is, they're animals just like you, me and Fido, and Kitty and the birds in trees. Although, you and I as well as the family dog or cat are mammals, dinosaurs are their own group: dinosauria.

Their closest relatives are crocodiles (and alligators) and birds. Yeah, don't see the family resemblance, do you? Well, there are many criteria that scientists go through and analyze before they classify an animal. A lot of it is down to similarities in bones, like the hip, skull, ankle, or wrist. It's basically a method called comparative anatomy. Scientists will compare newly found bones with previously discovered ones. This is why sometimes a bone is discovered, but the animal is not classified until much later when a more complete specimen of the animal is discovered.

Scientists will look at teeth, claws and the way a dinosaur is built to determine if it was a carnivore (meat-eater) or herbivore (plant-eater). That's why it is so important to find as much of the specimen as possible. The more parts you have to work with, the easier it will be to figure out what exactly it is you've found. If you're lucky enough to find a hip, leg, or certain parts of a skull, you might even be able to estimate the size of a dinosaur without actually finding the whole thing.

Ultimately, dinosaurs fall into two groups: Ornithischia (bird-hipped) and Saurischia (lizard-hipped). These classifications are based on the shape of the hip bone and pelvis area. Ornithischia have hips that are shaped like that of birds. And Saurischia have hips shaped like a lizard or reptile. All ornithischians are herbivores, but saurischians can be carnivores and herbivores. Oddly, the dinosaurs that are supposed to be the closest relative of birds, are the lizard-hipped ones. Go figure!

So, now you know what a dinosaur is. That wasn't hard, was it? Another wrinkle on the brain. Basically dinosaurs are just animals. They are real. They are not made up monsters from someone's fertile imagination, although some may look like it. Although portrayed as monsters in movies most of the time, they would act just as a lion, hippo, elephant or any other animal would today. Basically, they would just do what they do.

Next-Classification.

Welcome to Dinosaurology

Let's face it. Dinosaurs are cool! You don't have to be a kid to enjoy them, but that's usually when we are all introduced to them for the first time. My first introduction was in the first grade. I took a break from them (once I discovered girls) but over the years I've come back to them. They are like old friends.

My interest got a push when Jurassic Park was released in 1993. It also jump started my interest in computer graphics. Over the next few years, I'd started to create dinosaurs digitally which has brought the best of both worlds into a fun hobby.

The intention of this site is to give as much information about dinosaurs as possible in terms that even parents can understand! I will not be using all the scientific jargon that sometimes gets a little confusing. I will have links to more scientific information if you choose to investigate further what a jugal or antorbital fenestrae are. (Cheekbone and opening in skull in front of the eye, respectively.)

I will have links or information on as much dinosaur related topics as I have time to post.

You'll also find my opinions on certain topics. I'll give the common beliefs and theories, and perhaps interject my own thoughts on the subjects.

So, if you want to know what your six year old is talking about or why they are using bigger words than you, you're in the right place.

Sit back, relax, and look around. Don't worry, there won't be a test...