When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth Quiz

Answer: Coelophysis

Coelophysis was a slender and small dinosaur that grew to lengths of 3 meters. While tiny compared to most dinosaurs and other fauna, it proved successful in the time of the Triassic. They have been depicted in pop culture, most famously being one of the first dinosaurs featured in BBC's 'Walking with Dinosaurs' to represent the arrival of a new breed of reptiles, for supremacy of the planet.

Answer: Colorado

Fruitadens can be traced back to the area of Fruita, Colorado. The reason for its name is its unique canine-like tooth that sticks out of the lower jaw. It also has a spine of feathers on its back. This dinosaur is one of the smallest species of Ornithischia, the bird-hipped dinosaurs.

Answer: Named from a mythical beast

Jobaria is named after the Jobar, a mythical beast that is said to roam the plains of Africa. While the fossils were mistaken to be evidence of the beast being 'still alive' by locals and cryptozoologists, this creature is in fact dated from the early to mid Jurassic.

Answer: Sinraptor

Sinraptor, despite its name, is not related to the dromeosaurs, like Velociraptor or Utahraptor, and neither is it an evil super villain. Its size and appearance is often seen as an evolutionary stepping stone to larger theropods like Giganotosaurus. It was featured on the BBC television series 'Planet Dinosaur', in an episode set in China that showcased some other weirder species.

Answer: It had bat-like features, like wings

Yi Qi is truly an oddity. No bigger than a house cat, it had an extra long finger bone that had a skin membrane, creating a type of wing similar to bats. Along with fine feathers, it had the potential to fly from tree to tree. Its odd mix of features is an example of convergent evolution, where similar features can appear in two separate species via independent adaptations.

Answer: Yes

Discovered in 1992, Pyroraptor got its blaze of glory with its terrifying foot claws and teeth. While a lot smaller than the average human, at around 2 to 3 feet tall, it was quick, agile, armed and would probably hunt in packs. It also got a spotlight on the miniseries 'Dinosaur Planet' on Discovery Channel, where it survived a Gulliver's Travels type journey.

Answer: True

Further evidence has surfaced about how Spinosaurus may have looked. No longer is it the 'taller and larger than T-Rex' monster we saw in the film, now it has become a low slung, fish eating theropod. In 2014, a reconstructed fossil showed the animal in a more crocodilian posture. Along with its streamlined shape and teeth, ideal for snatching prey such as fish, it is now a more specialized hunter meant for the water.

While the movie made many fans clamour to really know what would happen if T-Rex met Spinosaurus, in reality they wouldn't have met. Spinosaurus lived much earlier in the Cretaceous, around 112 million years ago, while Tyrannosaurus lived much closer to the extinction of dinosaurs, around 67-65 million years ago.

Answer: It had spines sticking out along its vertebrae

Koreaceratops had short spines on its back, whilst near the tail end the spikes grew to over five times longer than the ones closer to the head. One theory for this strange evolution is that they were developed for swimming, making this a first where a Ceratopsian is adapted for a hippo-like lifestyle.

Answer: Europelta

Europelta was officially described after analysis of two specimens found in the region of Aragon. It is one of the most complete armoured dinosaur specimens in Europe, though, size wise, it is considered a medium creature, at around 4 meters in length.

The armour of this creature covers most of the upper body in the form of bony plates on the back, leaving the underbelly vulnerable to predators - if they can reach it.

Answer: Yutyrannus

Standing at more than 2 meters tall, 9 meters long and covered in fluff, Yutyrannus is the largest dinosaur with direct evidence of feather plumage. By the size, paleontologist have deduced that Yutyrannus was a primitive species of Tyrannosaurs. The feathers on Yutyrannus were probably used for regulating temperature, based on the climate of their environment, or for some areas on the fossils, used for attracting mates.