List of Dinosaur Species With Pictures
Explore a captivating List of dinosaur species with pictures, including popular List of dinosaur species in Jurassic Park and List of species in Disney’s Dinosaur. Discover various List of dinosaur types and get to know these fascinating creatures through this engaging compilation.
Dinosaurs were a diverse group of reptiles that dominated Earth for over 170 million years. During the Triassic Period, they evolved widely and suddenly extinct around 65 MYA. Evolution theory states that the sudden extinction of dinosaurs made the way for the rise the mammals. Today, this article will tell you about various dinosaur species that evolved in the Mesozoic Era.
Table of Content
- Dinosaur
- How many types of Dinosaurs are there?
- List of Dinosaur Species with Pictures
- Types Of Dinosaurs
- Mesozoic Era – The Era of Dinosaur
- Different Types of Dinosaur Species – With Classification and Time Periods
- Intersting Facts About Dinosaurs
- List of Dinosaur Species in Jurassic Park
- Popular Dinosaur Species
- List of Species in Disney’s Dinosaur
- The Good Dinosaur List of Species
- Present Living Descendants of Dinosaurs
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs were reptiles. They are usually divided into Carnivorous and Herbivorous and lived on the Earth for about 245 million years. In Greek, the meaning of “dinos” is “fearfully great”, and “sources” means “lizard”. As per paleontologists, the greatest variety of dinosaurs has been found in the North American deserts and badlands of China and Argentina, in the form of fossils.
How many types of Dinosaurs are there?
It is nearly impossible to say how many types of dinosaurs were present. But paleontologists have discovered more than 1000 species and divided them into 900 genera of non-avian dinosaurs till now. It is estimated that there were almost 2468 species that dominated the Earth through the whole Mesozoic period.
List of Dinosaur Species with Pictures
There is a vast and diverse array of dinosaur species that once dominated the Earth in the past. Here are some List of dinosaur types which were famous in contemporary times.
List of Some Major Dinosaur Species |
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Dinosaur Species List with Pictures |
Specifications |
Eoraptor lumens |
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Bellusaurus sui |
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Brachylophosaurus |
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Edmontosaurus annectens |
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Lourinhanosaurus |
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Tyrannosaurus rex |
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Triceratops horridus |
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Ambopteryx |
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Metriacanthosaurus parkeri |
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Nqwebasaurus thwazi |
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Types Of Dinosaurs
Based on the pelvic structure, paleontologists broadly classified dinosaurs into two main groups, i.e., Saurischia (lizard-hipped) and Ornithischia (bird-hipped). In this table below, we have tried to compare these two groups in details.
Saurischians Dinosaurs Vs Ornithischians Dinosaurs |
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Parameters |
Saurischians |
Ornithischians |
Pelvic Structure |
Pubis points forward and longer than the ischium. |
Pubis points backward or parallel. Sometimes fused with ischium. |
Sub-groups |
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Diet |
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Body Size |
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Geographical Range |
Found on all continents. |
Found on all continents and shows global distribution. |
Notable Characteristics |
Bipedal locomotion (except some sauropodomorphs). |
Diverse body shapes and structures (frills, horns). |
Now to understand the important species of dinosaurs, we need to know about with its three specific time periods.
Mesozoic Era – The Era of Dinosaur
The Mesozoic Era plays a major role in the Earth’s history. This era holds immense importace due to emergence and dominace of various reptile groups, specifically dinosaurs. The Mesozoic era consists with three major periods:
Periods Of Mesozoic Era |
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The Triassic Period (From 251.902 Mya to 201.4 Mya) |
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The Jurassic Period (From 201 Mya to 145 Mya) |
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The Cretaceous Period (From 145 Mya to 66 Mya) |
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Read: World’s Largest Dinosaur
Different Types of Dinosaur Species – With Classification and Time Periods
As we know the classification and timelines of the Mesozoic Era, now we will create a comprehensive list of over 100 dinosaur names along with their classifications and corresponding time periods.
100+ Dinosaurs Names – With Classification and Time Periods |
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Dinosaur Name |
Classification |
Layer Of Mesozoic Era |
Time Period (MYA) |
Eoraptor |
Theropod |
Early Triassic Period |
223 – 228 MYA* |
Herrerasaurus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
228.7 – 199.6 MYA |
Plateosaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
214 – 204 MYA |
Coelophysis |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
215 – 208.5 MYA |
Anchisaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Early Triassic Period |
201.3 – 190.8 MYA |
Dilophosaurus |
Theropod |
Early Triassic Period |
201 – 189 MYA |
Massospondylus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
228 – 190.8 MYA |
Segisaurus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
190.8 – 174.1 MYA |
Riojasaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
228 – 208.5 MYA |
Procompsognathus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
215.56 – 212 MYA |
Plateosaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
214 – 204 MYA |
Staurikosaurus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
237 – 228 MYA |
Herrerasaurus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
237 – 228 MYA |
Eoraptor |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
237 – 228 MYA |
Pantydraco |
Sauropodomorph |
Early Triassic Period |
208.5 – 201.3 MYA |
Liliensternus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
208 – 228 MYA |
Coloradisaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
228 – 208.5 MYA |
Daemonosaurus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
208.5 – 201.3 MYA |
Adeopapposaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Herrerasaurus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
237 – 208.5 MYA |
Plateosaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
214 – 204 MYA |
Tawa |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
228 – 208.5 MYA |
Pantydraco |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
208.5 – 201.3 MYA |
Thecodontosaurus |
Theropod |
Early Triassic Period |
252.17 – 190.8 MYA |
Plateosaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
214 -204 MYA |
Eoraptor |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
237 – 228 MYA |
Ruehleia |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
228 – 208.5 MYA |
Zupaysaurus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
228 – 208.5 MYA |
Mussaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
228 – 208.5 MYA |
Silesaurus |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
237 – 208.5 MYA |
Adeopapposaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Efraasia |
Theropod |
Late Triassic Period |
228 – 212 MYA |
Plateosaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Triassic Period |
204 – 214 MYA |
Heterodontosaurus |
Ornithischian (Heterodontosauridae) |
Early Triassic Period |
228 – 182.7 MYA |
Allosaurus |
Theropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
163.5 – 89.3 MYA |
Stegosaurus |
Ornithischian |
Late Jurassic Period |
150 – 155 MYA |
Brachiosaurus |
Sauropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Triceratops |
Ceratopsian |
Late Jurassic Period |
83.5 – 66 MYA |
Apatosaurus |
Sauropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Dilophosaurus |
Theropod |
Early Jurassic Period |
201.3 – 182.7 MYA |
Archaeopteryx |
Theropod (avian) |
Late Jurassic Period |
150.8 – 125.45 MYA |
Diplodocus |
Sauropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Camarasaurus |
Sauropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
155 – 145 MYA |
Brontosaurus |
Sauropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
157.3 – 145 MYA |
Kentrosaurus |
Stegosaurian |
Late Jurassic Period |
163.5 – 145 MYA |
Coelophysis |
Theropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
221.5 – 190.8 MYA |
Iguanodon |
Ornithischian |
Early Jurassic Period |
157.3 – 93.9 MYA |
Plesiosaurus |
Plesiosaur |
Late Jurassic Period |
208.5 – 66 MYA |
Megalosaurus |
Theropod |
Middle Jurassic Period |
208.5 – 66 MYA |
Ankylosaurus |
Thyreophoran |
Late Jurassic Period |
83.5 – 66 MYA |
Plateosaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Jurassic Period |
214 – 204 MYA |
Oviraptor |
Theropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
89.8 – 70.6 MYA |
Allosaurus |
Theropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
163.5 – 89.3 MYA |
Dimorphodon |
Pterosaur |
Early Jurassic Period |
201.3 – 189.6 MYA |
Dryosaurus |
Ornithischian |
Early Jurassic Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Compsognathus |
Theropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
150.8 – 145 MYA |
Gallimimus |
Theropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
100.5 – 66 MYA |
Parasaurolophus |
Hadrosaurid |
Late Jurassic Period |
83.5 – 70.6 MYA |
Camptosaurus |
Ornithischian |
Late Jurassic Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Ichthyosaurus |
Ichthyosaur |
Early Jurassic Period |
228 – 112.03 MYA |
Carcharodontosaurus |
Theropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
145 – 70.6 MYA |
Amargasaurus |
Sauropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
129.4 – 122.46 MYA |
Yangchuanosaurus |
Theropod |
Middle Jurassic Period |
170.3 – 145 MYA |
Barosaurus |
Sauropod |
Late Jurassic Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Mussaurus |
Sauropodomorph |
Late Jurassic Period |
228 – 208.5 MYA |
Microceratus |
Ceratopsian |
Late Jurassic Period |
129.4 – 66 MYA |
Hypsilophodon |
Ornithischian |
Early Jurassic Period |
145 – 100.5 MYA |
Shunosaurus |
Sauropod |
Middle Jurassic Period |
170.3 – 157.3 MYA |
Tyrannosaurus rex |
Theropod |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.6 – 66 MYA |
Triceratops |
Ceratopsian |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.5 – 66 MYA |
Velociraptor |
Theropod |
Late Cretaceous Period |
89.8 – 72.1 MYA |
Ankylosaurus |
Ankylosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.5 – 66 MYA |
Stegosaurus |
Stegosaurid |
Early Cretaceous Period |
155 – 150 MYA |
Spinosaurus |
Theropod |
Late Cretaceous Period |
99 – 93.5 MYA |
Parasaurolophus |
Hadrosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.5 – 70.6 MYA |
Allosaurus |
Theropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
163.5 – 89.3 MYA |
Pachycephalosaurus |
Pachycephalosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
72.1 – 66 MYA |
Iguanodon |
Ornithopod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
157.3 – 93.9 MYA |
Brachiosaurus |
Sauropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Corythosaurus |
Hadrosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.5 – 72.1 MYA |
Giganotosaurus |
Theropod |
Late Cretaceous Period |
99.6 – 93.5 MYA |
Deinonychus |
Theropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
125 – 100.5 MYA |
Carnotaurus |
Theropod |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.5 – 66 MYA |
Maiasaura |
Hadrosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
86.3 – 70.6 MYA |
Diplodocus |
Sauropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
161.2 – 145 MYA |
Microraptor |
Theropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
125 – 113 MYA |
Edmontosaurus |
Hadrosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.6 – 66 MYA |
Oviraptor |
Theropod |
Late Cretaceous Period |
89.8 – 70.6 MYA |
Acrocanthosaurus |
Theropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
122.46 – 113 MYA |
Euoplocephalus |
Ankylosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.6 – 66 MYA |
Sauroposeidon |
Sauropod |
Late Cretaceous Period |
125 -100.5 MYA |
Protoceratops |
Ceratopsian |
Late Cretaceous Period |
83.5 – 70.6 MYA |
Baryonyx |
Theropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
130 – 125 MYA |
Therizinosaurus |
Theropod |
Late Cretaceous Period |
72.1 – 66 MYA |
Sinornithosaurus |
Theropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
130 – 122.46 MYA |
Amargasaurus |
Sauropod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
129.4 – 122.46 MYA |
Hesperornis |
Avialan |
Late Cretaceous Period |
100.5 – 66 MYA |
Iguanodon |
Ornithopod |
Early Cretaceous Period |
157.3 – 93.9 MYA |
Nodosaurus |
Ankylosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
99.6 – 70.6 MYA |
Shantungosaurus |
Hadrosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
100.5 – 66 MYA |
Stygimoloch |
Pachycephalosaurid |
Late Cretaceous Period |
68 – 65 MYA |
Quetzalcoatlus |
Pterosaur |
Late Cretaceous Period |
72.1 – 66 MYA |
* “MYA” means here “Million Years Ago”.
Intersting Facts About Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs are the ancient rulers of the Earth and there are so many intresting facts about them. Let’s learn some intresting facts about dinosaurs.
Feathered Dinosaurs |
Dinosaurs like Velociraptor and Archaeopteryx, once thought of as scaly reptiles, are now believed to have had feathers, challenging traditional perceptions. |
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Tyrannosaurus rex’s Tiny Arms |
Despite its massive size, the Tyrannosaurus rex had small, non-functional arms, sparking scientific debates about their purpose. |
Longest Neck Dinosaur |
Mamenchisaurus, a sauropod from the Late Jurassic, had a neck that could reach up to 46 feet (14 meters) in length, making it the dinosaur with the longest neck. |
Dinosaur Eggs |
Discoveries of fossilized eggs and nests offer insights into the reproductive behavior of dinosaurs, revealing that some, like Maiasaura, cared for their young. |
Dinosaur Speed |
The fastest dinosaurs, such as Velociraptor, were agile theropods capable of high-speed pursuits, making them formidable predators. |
Herbivorous Giants |
Some of the largest dinosaurs were herbivores, including colossal sauropods like Argentinosaurus and Dreadnoughtus, with lengths exceeding 100 feet (30 meters). |
Dinosaur Extinction |
Most dinosaurs went extinct around 66 million years ago in the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) event, attributed to factors like an asteroid impact and volcanic activity. |
First Dinosaur Discovery As Fossil |
The first documented dinosaur fossil, Megalosaurus, was found in England in 1824, marking the beginning of dinosaur paleontology. |
Diversity of Teeth |
Different dinosaur species had varied tooth structures adapted to their diets, with carnivores having sharp, serrated teeth and herbivores having flat teeth for grinding plants. |
Dinosaur Tracks |
Fossilized tracks and footprints provide valuable information about dinosaur locomotion and behavior, offering a unique glimpse into their lives. |
Dinosaur Social Behavior |
Some dinosaurs, especially theropods, are believed to have exhibited social behavior. Fossilized footprints suggest group activities and interactions. |
Oviraptor’s Misleading Name |
Despite its name meaning “egg thief,” Oviraptor was likely protecting its own eggs, challenging initial assumptions about its behavior. |
Read More: Interesting Facts about Dinosaurs
List of Dinosaur Species in Jurassic Park
- Tyrannosaurus Rex: The iconic apex predator.
- Velociraptor: Known for their intelligence and hunting packs.
- Brachiosaurus: A gentle giant, towering over the park.
- Triceratops: Recognizable by their three horns and frill.
- Dilophosaurus: Remembered for its frill and venomous spit.
Popular Dinosaur Species
- Stegosaurus: Famous for its plated back and spiked tail.
- Spinosaurus: Known for the large sail on its back.
- Ankylosaurus: Armored dinosaur with a club tail.
- Pteranodon: Not a dinosaur, but a prehistoric flying reptile often featured alongside dinosaurs.
- Allosaurus: A fierce predator of the Jurassic period.
List of Species in Disney’s Dinosaur
- Iguanodon: The protagonist, Aladar, belongs to this herbivorous species.
- Carnotaurus: The main antagonists, showcasing their fearsome hunting skills.
- Pachyrhinosaurus: Part of the migrating herd seeking sanctuary.
- Styracosaurus: Another herd member, known for its impressive horned frill.
- Brachiosaurus: Appears in scenes depicting the herd’s journey.
The Good Dinosaur List of Species
- Apatosaurus: The main character, Arlo, and his family are part of this species.
- Tyrannosaurus Rex: Featured as cowboy-like ranchers who help Arlo.
- Velociraptor: Portrayed as cunning and dangerous rustlers.
- Pterodactyl: Predatory flying reptiles causing trouble for Arlo.
- Stegosaurus: Forrest Woodbush, the eccentric Styracosaurus with various animals perched on his horns, offering wisdom to Arlo.
Present Living Descendants of Dinosaurs
- Birds are considered the present living descendants of dinosaurs. Here are some examples of those bird species, basically considered as the modern descendants of dinosaurs:
Chicken
- Chickens belong to the family Phasianidae and are domesticated descendants of the red junglefowl, which is considered a close relative of the dinosaurs.
Ostrich
- The ostrich is the largest living bird. It belongs to the family Struthionidae. It shares common ancestry with certain groups of dinosaurs.
Emu
- Emus are flightless birds native to Australia. These birds belong to the family Dromaiidae. They are part of the ratites, a group of large, flightless birds that has evolutionary ties to dinosaurs.
List of Dinosaur Species – FAQs
Which dinosaur species are the most famous?
- T-Rex (Tyrannosaurus Rex): Known for its large size, powerful jaws, and short arms.
- Velociraptor: Recognized for its intelligence and appearance in popular culture.
- Stegosaurus: Famous for its distinctive spiked tail and plates along its back.
Can you provide a list of carnivorous versus herbivorous dinosaur species?
- Carnivorous Dinosaurs: T-Rex, Velociraptor, Allosaurus
- Herbivorous Dinosaurs: Triceratops, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus
What are the differences between dinosaur species featured in Jurassic Park and real-life discoveries?
Inaccurate portrayals of some dinosaurs’ sizes and behaviors. Inclusion of fictional species like the Velociraptors’ exaggerated size. Advances in paleontology reveal more accurate depictions of dinosaur appearances and behaviors. Ongoing discoveries provide a constantly evolving understanding of dinosaur species.
What is the largest dinosaur species ever discovered?
Argentinosaurus is the largest dinosaur species ever discovered.
How many species of dinosaurs are there?
Over 1,000 dinosaur species have been officially named and described, with new discoveries made frequently.
What are some of the newest dinosaur species discovered?
Recent discoveries include the Ubijara jubatus, a feathered dinosaur from Brazil, and the Vectaerovenator inopinatus, found in the UK.
Which dinosaur species was the largest ever discovered?
The Argentinosaurus is considered one of the largest, with estimates suggesting it was over 100 feet long and weighed up to 100 tons.
Were all dinosaurs carnivores?
No, dinosaurs had varied diets. While some were carnivores, like Tyrannosaurus rex, many were herbivores, like Triceratops, and some were omnivores.
Did any dinosaurs fly?
True dinosaurs didn’t fly, but many avian dinosaurs (the ancestors of modern birds) did. The Archaeopteryx is a well-known example of a bird-like dinosaur capable of flight.
Are there any aquatic dinosaur species?
Dinosaurs were primarily land-dwellers, but some species like Spinosaurus are believed to have been semi-aquatic, hunting both on land and in water.
What is the smallest dinosaur species ever found?
The Microraptor is one of the smallest known dinosaur species, with some specimens measuring just over a foot in length.
Can dinosaurs be classified into different families?
Yes, dinosaurs are classified into major groups like Sauropods (long-necked giants), Theropods (mostly carnivorous bipeds), and Ornithischians (bird-hipped dinosaurs).
How do scientists determine the diet of dinosaur species?
Scientists study dinosaur teeth, jaw structure, and sometimes fossilized stomach contents to infer their diets.
Where can I find a comprehensive list of dinosaur species?
Scientific publications, museum databases, and educational websites like the Smithsonian or National Geographic offer detailed lists and descriptions of dinosaur species.
What is the smallest dinosaur species known to science?
The smallest dinosaur species known is Microraptor.
Which dinosaur was the fastest?
The speediest dinosaur was likely the cheetah-like Dromiceiomimus.
What is the most famous dinosaur species?
Tyrannosaurus rex or T.rex is one of the most famous dinosaur species.
Did all dinosaurs go extinct?
Yes, all non-avian dinosaurs went extinct approximately 66 million years ago due to combination factor.
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