what do we know about dinosaurs?
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What do we know about DINOSAURS?. How long ago did they live? What were they? Where did they come from ? How did they die? Are any still alive today?. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?. 1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What do we know about
DINOSAURS?What do we know about
DINOSAURS?How long ago did they live?
What were they?Where did they come from ?
How did they die?Are any still alive today?
How long ago did they live? What were they?
Where did they come from ?How did they die?
Are any still alive today?
1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike.
1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike.
2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.3. Logic.
I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it.
3. Logic. I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it.
4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry.
4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry.
5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery!
5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery!
6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know this car will give you years of faithful service!
6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know this car will give you years of faithful service!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?
THE PREHISTORIC PAST:THE PREHISTORIC PAST:
1. No living person has personal experience.1. No living person has personal experience.
2. There are no eyewitness accounts except the
Bible, which is unacceptable to skeptics.
2. There are no eyewitness accounts except the
Bible, which is unacceptable to skeptics.
SO HOW DO WE “KNOW” ABOUT THE BEGINNING? Through LOGIC ONLY.
SO HOW DO WE “KNOW” ABOUT THE BEGINNING? Through LOGIC ONLY.
Both sides look at thesame fossil evidence…
- We just interpret it
differently.
Both sides look at thesame fossil evidence…
- We just interpret it
differently.
MEANING OF THE ROCK STRATAMEANING OF THE ROCK STRATAIn general, the earth’s rock layers contain fossils that seem
to increase in complexity from bottom to top. However, there are hundreds of exceptions where individual fossils or entire
strata are in the wrong order.
In general, the earth’s rock layers contain fossils that seem to increase in complexity from bottom to top. However, there are hundreds of exceptions where individual fossils or entire
strata are in the wrong order.
CREATION SAYS:
Suites of fossils represent ecological communities which fit their
environment. Those near the bottom of the ocean have shapes appropriate
to their habitat and only appear simpler.
Misplaced fossils and strata are probably the result of hydraulic flood
action moving them out of their normal habitat, or deformation while
the sediment was still soft.
EVOLUTION SAYS:
Suites of fossils represent time periods. Those near the bottom look simpler because they evolved first
and are simpler.
Misplaced fossils and strata are the result of geologic processes such as faulting and overthrusting, millions
of years after the rocks had fully hardened.
Ecological Communities Around the WorldEcological Communities Around the WorldAnimals and plants live in interdependent communities, or biomes.
These vary with climate, elevation above or below sea level, etc.
Shown are two of the ecosystems
found in Colorado. The same is true
worldwide.
(Denver Museum of Natural History – photos by the
author)
Factors Determining the Success of a BiomeFactors Determining the Success of a BiomeIn order for a community of animals and plants to survive
and thrive, they must fit with their environment. For example, factors determining success on land include:
In order for a community of animals and plants to survive and thrive, they must fit with their environment. For
example, factors determining success on land include:
1. Elevation above or below sea level2. Average temperature3. Extremes of temperature4. Amount and timing of rainfall (e.g., monsoon
seasons)5. Amount of sunlight6. Wind patterns7. Natural disasters
and so on.
1. Elevation above or below sea level2. Average temperature3. Extremes of temperature4. Amount and timing of rainfall (e.g., monsoon
seasons)5. Amount of sunlight6. Wind patterns7. Natural disasters
and so on.
Because of all the possible combinations, there are dozens of distinct biomes in the modern world.
Because of all the possible combinations, there are dozens of distinct biomes in the modern world.
ERA PERIOD EPOCH Approx. Beginning (Years Ago)
Cenozoic Quaternary Holocene (Recent) 10,000Pleistocene 1.8 million
Tertiary Pliocene 5.3 millionMiocene 23.8 millionOligocene 33.7 millionEocene 54.8 millionPaleocene 65 million
Mesozoic Cretaceous (3 divisions) 144 millionJurassic (3 divisions) 206 millionTriassic (upper only) 248 million
Paleozoic Permian 290 millionPennsylvanian 323 million } CARBON-Mississippian 354 million } IFEROUSDevonian 417 millionSilurian 443 millionOrdovician 490 millionCambrian 543 million
Archaeozoic Precambrian 4.5 billion(incl. Ediacaran or Vendian, 650 million)
Where are Dinosaurs on the Geologic Time Scale?Where are Dinosaurs on the Geologic Time Scale?
Source: Univ. of Calif. Museum of PaleontologySource: Univ. of Calif. Museum of Paleontology
IN WHICH LAYERS ARE DINOSAURS FOUND?IN WHICH LAYERS ARE DINOSAURS FOUND?
Most strata are subdivided into lower, middle, and upper.
Most strata are subdivided into lower, middle, and upper.
There is occasional overlapping where a type occurs in two or three adjacent layers, but
the broad pattern seems to be that dinosaurs lived in seven distinct ecological communities.
There is occasional overlapping where a type occurs in two or three adjacent layers, but
the broad pattern seems to be that dinosaurs lived in seven distinct ecological communities.
• The lowest layer containing dinosaurs is the Upper Triassic.
• There are also distinct dinosaur suites in Lower, Middle, and Upper Jurassic.
• The majority of dinosaur types occur in Lower, Middle, and Upper Cretaceous.
Scientists classify animals and plants according to the system shown below. While there are differences between types of
reptiles, their bones are easy to identify as reptilian because all of them have a similar jaw structure.
Scientists classify animals and plants according to the system shown below. While there are differences between types of
reptiles, their bones are easy to identify as reptilian because all of them have a similar jaw structure.
The Biological Classification SystemKingdomPhylumClassOrderFamilyGenus
SpeciesReptiles belong to Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata (Subphylum Vertebrata), and Class Reptilia. Dinosaurs and other extinct reptiles
comprised several orders, as shown on the next page.
The Biological Classification SystemKingdomPhylumClassOrderFamilyGenus
SpeciesReptiles belong to Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata (Subphylum Vertebrata), and Class Reptilia. Dinosaurs and other extinct reptiles
comprised several orders, as shown on the next page.
WHAT WERE DINOSAURS?WHAT WERE DINOSAURS?
One of many ways to divide CLASS REPTILIA (Peter Uetz, 2002)One of many ways to divide CLASS REPTILIA (Peter Uetz, 2002)
ANAPSIDA
LEPIDOSAURIA
ARCHOSAURIA
PARAPSIDA *
ARAEOSCELIDA *
EURYAPSIDA *
SYNAPSIDA *
Cotylosauria * - “stem reptiles”Chelonia or Testudinata - turtles
Eosuchia * - obscure Permian reptiles, seemingly aquaticRhynchocephalia – sphenodons (New Zealand lizards)Squamata – modern lizards/snakes, some extinct marine forms
Thecodontia * - supposed ancestors of dinos & birdsCrocodilia – crocs & gatorsSaurischia * - dinos w/ lizard-type pelvisOrnithischia * - dinos w/ bird-type pelvisPterosauria * - flying reptiles
Ichthyosauria * - fishlike marine reptiles
Trilophosauria * - lizard-like Triassic reptilesWeigeltisauria * - obscure
Protorosauria * - obscure lizard-like Permian reptilesSauropterygia * - marine reptiles w/ paddle-like limbs (plesiosaurs)
Pelycosauria * - “mammal-like” reptilesTherapsida * - “advanced” reptilesMesosauria * - Permian reptile, thought to be aquatic
* Forms believed to be extinct* Forms believed to be extinct
SUBCLASS: ORDERS CONTAINED:
LIVING Reptiles Have Certain Features in Common:
LIVING Reptiles Have Certain Features in Common:
1. Jaw structure.2. Scales. 3. Cold-blooded (match the temperature of their
surroundings).4. Babies are hatched/born as miniature versions of
adults. They can immediately start to eat what adults do.
5. Reptiles grow as long as they live, as long as they can move around to get enough food.
Also, most reptiles lay eggs, though one ichthyosaur fossil was preserved in the act of giving live birth.
Denver Museum of Nat. Hist.
A Major Difference Between Living and Extinct Reptiles:A Major Difference Between Living and Extinct Reptiles:
In living reptiles (except snakes), the legs are positioned to the side of the body so that the animal rests on its stomach when not moving. This limits the maximum size, because eventually the animal would become too big to move.
Bradysaurus – Permian “mammal-like” reptile Edmontosaurus T. rexStegosaurus
Dinosaurs and “mammal-like” reptiles had legs directly under the body. This meant they could
grow to enormous sizes.
Photos by the author
“Mammal-Like Reptiles”“Mammal-Like Reptiles”
Since mammals are considered to be more advanced than any reptiles, those reptiles most similar to them (the mammal-like reptiles) should be the most highly
evolved. We would expect to find them in “more recent” rock layers than the more primitive dinosaurs.
However, mammal-like reptiles are first found in lower strata than dinosaurs. They are far out of the sequence
evolution leads us to expect.
Bradysaurus – Permian(by WIKIMEDIA user Baini)
Sinokannemeyeria - lower Triassic (WIKIMEDIA)
Diictodon – Permian(photo by author)
Flying reptiles were not dinosaurs, though they are supposed to have died out at the same time. The first ones appear in the fossil
record suddenly and fully formed, with no known ancestry.
Flying reptiles were not dinosaurs, though they are supposed to have died out at the same time. The first ones appear in the fossil
record suddenly and fully formed, with no known ancestry.
FLYING REPTILESFLYING REPTILES
Flying reptiles belonged to Order Pterosauria, which is divided into two suborders.Flying reptiles belonged to Order Pterosauria, which is divided into two suborders.
Pterodactyloids (12 known fami-
lies, Jurassic and Creta-
ceous), sup-posed to be
descendants of rhamphorynch-oids, had short
tails.
Pterodactyloids (12 known fami-
lies, Jurassic and Creta-
ceous), sup-posed to be
descendants of rhamphorynch-oids, had short
tails.
Denver Museum
Image from Wiki-pedia Commons
Rhampho-rynchoids (four known families, found in Triassic and Jurassic rocks) had long tails.
Rhampho-rynchoids (four known families, found in Triassic and Jurassic rocks) had long tails.
MARINE REPTILESMARINE REPTILESMarine reptiles were also not dinosaurs. They, too, appear in the fossil record suddenly and fully formed, with no known ancestry.Marine reptiles were also not dinosaurs. They, too, appear in the fossil record suddenly and fully formed, with no known ancestry.
Order Ichthyosauria (Triassic throughCretaceous) included very fishlike forms. No one believes they were a transition from fish to rep- tile; instead, their ancestors supposedly evolved out of the sea onto the land, then later the ich- thyosaurs evolved back into the sea.
Order Ichthyosauria (Triassic throughCretaceous) included very fishlike forms. No one believes they were a transition from fish to rep- tile; instead, their ancestors supposedly evolved out of the sea onto the land, then later the ich- thyosaurs evolved back into the sea.
Ichthyosaur giving live birth
photos taken at Denver Museum
Order Saurop-terygia / Plesio-sauria (Jurassic& Cretaceous) had fat bodies, short tails, andpaddle-shapedlimbs –
like the way we imagine the Loch Ness Monster.
Order Saurop-terygia / Plesio-sauria (Jurassic& Cretaceous) had fat bodies, short tails, andpaddle-shapedlimbs –
like the way we imagine the Loch Ness Monster.
Elasmosaurus, a Cretaceous plesiosaur (cars evolved much later!)
Elasmosaurus, a Cretaceous plesiosaur (cars evolved much later!)
Order Squamosa (Mosasaurs) were long and snakelike, with webbed feet. They ranged from about 10 – 50 feet long.
Order Squamosa (Mosasaurs) were long and snakelike, with webbed feet. They ranged from about 10 – 50 feet long.
Platycarpus, a Cretaceous mosasaur
There are about eighteen living or extinct orders of reptiles. Only two of these orders, Saurischia and Ornithischia, were dinosaurs.There are about eighteen living or extinct orders of reptiles. Only two of these orders, Saurischia and Ornithischia, were dinosaurs.
The Two Orders of DinosaursThe Two Orders of Dinosaurs
It is easy to tell the differ-ence between the two
orders, because all mem-bers of Order Ornithischia had a “bird-type” pelvis as
shown at left while all mem-bers of Order Saurischia
had a “lizard-type” pelvis as shown at right.
It is easy to tell the differ-ence between the two
orders, because all mem-bers of Order Ornithischia had a “bird-type” pelvis as
shown at left while all mem-bers of Order Saurischia
had a “lizard-type” pelvis as shown at right.
Left: fragments of the pelvis of the ornithischian dinosaur Edmontosaurus being exca-vated by the author in Wyo-ming, 2008.
Right: complete Edmontosaurus skeleton
(Denver Museum of Natural History, 2008). Note the
ornithischian pelvis.
Left: fragments of the pelvis of the ornithischian dinosaur Edmontosaurus being exca-vated by the author in Wyo-ming, 2008.
Right: complete Edmontosaurus skeleton
(Denver Museum of Natural History, 2008). Note the
ornithischian pelvis.
Ornithischian pelvisOrnithischian pelvis Saurischian pelvis Saurischian pelvisDrawings by O. C. Marsh, 1896Drawings by O. C. Marsh, 1896
Photos by the author
DINOSAUR SIZE RANGEDINOSAUR SIZE RANGEA few types of dinosaurs grew to enormous sizes.
Others never grew much bigger than a chicken!Apatosaurus compared to human (scale in feet)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
5
10
15
20
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
2
3
4
5
6
Compsognathus compared to human
Even large dinosaurs had small eggs. Shown is a T. rex egg --
about the size of a football.
Even large dinosaurs had small eggs. Shown is a T. rex egg --
about the size of a football.
Photo by the author
What do we know about
DINOSAURS?What do we know about
DINOSAURS?How long ago did they live?
What were they?Where did they come from ?
How did they die?Are any still alive today?
How long ago did they live? What were they?
Where did they come from ?How did they die?
Are any still alive today?
WHAT TV AND TEXTBOOKS SHOW US...WHAT TV AND TEXTBOOKS SHOW US...
WHAT WE ACTUALLY FIND:WHAT WE ACTUALLY FIND:a bunch of jumbled up bone fragmentsa bunch of jumbled up bone fragments
That we put togetherand make up
stories about!
That we put togetherand make up
stories about!
IF YOU CAN’T OBSERVE, IT’S NOT SCIENCE -- IT’S STORYTELLING!
IF YOU CAN’T OBSERVE, IT’S NOT SCIENCE -- IT’S STORYTELLING!
HOW MANY TYPES OF DINOSAURS WERE THERE?HOW MANY TYPES OF DINOSAURS WERE THERE?• Whoever discovers the first fossil of an extinct
creature gets to name it. However, discoveries are often fragmentary – a few teeth, some pieces of bone, etc.
• A number of times, someone named what they thought was a new type, only to find later that it had already been named. Some of the multiple names are still around.
• For instance, some believe that Tyrannosauruus, Tarbosaurus, and Albertosaurus are the same creature and that Nanotyrannus was just a juvenile Tyrannosaurus.
The actual number of dinosaur types is probably far less than the number of names assigned.
The actual number of dinosaur types is probably far less than the number of names assigned.
A Major Difference Between Living Reptiles and Dinosaurs:
A Major Difference Between Living Reptiles and Dinosaurs:
Modern baby reptiles hatch as miniature versions of adults. They can immediately eat what adults do.
Dinosaurs seem to have undergone radical changes as they grew (like mammals do.) For instance, some types had no head frill as babies, but grew them later.
Adult Zuniceratops with fully formed head frill -- from Wikimedia user Arthur Weasley
In some cases such as Nanotyrannus and Tyranno-saurus, normal changes due to aging have resulted
in multiple names being assigned by mistake.
In some cases such as Nanotyrannus and Tyranno-saurus, normal changes due to aging have resulted
in multiple names being assigned by mistake.
Why the Uncertainty in the Number of Extinct Types?Why the Uncertainty in the Number of Extinct Types?
Pictures from andrethegiant.com and rotttentomatoes.com
Pictures from andrethegiant.com and rotttentomatoes.com
To a biologist, a species is a group whose mem-bers cannot breed with
any other group. However, it is impos-sible to do breeding
experiments on extinct animals. Researchers have to simply guess
whether they belong to different species, based
on how different the specimens seem to be.
To a biologist, a species is a group whose mem-bers cannot breed with
any other group. However, it is impos-sible to do breeding
experiments on extinct animals. Researchers have to simply guess
whether they belong to different species, based
on how different the specimens seem to be.
If you had only bones to go by, would you guess that Andre the Giant (7 ft 4 in) and Verne Troyer (2 ft 8 in) were the same species? They are! Unless you were there, though, you might even think they belonged to different genera.
If you had only bones to go by, would you guess that Andre the Giant (7 ft 4 in) and Verne Troyer (2 ft 8 in) were the same species? They are! Unless you were there, though, you might even think they belonged to different genera.
There is no way to be sure whether differences in extinct creatures mean they belonged to different species, or just showed normal variation within the same species.
There is no way to be sure whether differences in extinct creatures mean they belonged to different species, or just showed normal variation within the same species.
ERA PERIOD EPOCH Approx. Beginning (Years Ago)
Cenozoic Quaternary Holocene (Recent) 10,000Pleistocene 1.8 million
Tertiary Pliocene 5.3 millionMiocene 23.8 millionOligocene 33.7 millionEocene 54.8 millionPaleocene 65 million
Mesozoic Cretaceous (3 divisions) 144 millionJurassic (3 divisions) 206 millionTriassic (upper only) 248 million
Paleozoic Permian 290 millionPennsylvanian 323 million } CARBON-Mississippian 354 million } IFEROUSDevonian 417 millionSilurian 443 millionOrdovician 490 millionCambrian 543 million
Archaeozoic Precambrian 4.5 billion(incl. Ediacaran or Vendian, 650 million)
Where are Dinosaurs on the Geologic Time Scale?Where are Dinosaurs on the Geologic Time Scale?
Source: Univ. of Calif. Museum of PaleontologySource: Univ. of Calif. Museum of Paleontology
HOW MANY TYPES OF DINOSAURS WERE THERE?HOW MANY TYPES OF DINOSAURS WERE THERE?
UPPER TRIASSIC:
UPPER TRIASSIC:
Turfanosaurus (China) (WIKImedia image) Guaibasaurus (Photo by WIKImedia user Sergio Kaminski)
Herrerasaurus – the “oldest” (lowest) dinosaur known. It appears suddenly and fully formed, with nothing leading up to it. (Photo by
WIKImedia user Zach Tirrell)
somewhere around 50 types have been named. Can we be sure there were 50 different genera, or
could there have been variations
within the Genesis “kinds”?
Hupehsuchus - Triassic ichthyosaur (not a dinosaur!) (WIKImedia image)
Sinokannemeyeria - “Mammal-like” Lower Triassic reptile,
also not a dinosaur. (WIKImedia image)
Since mammals are supposed to have evolved after dino-
saurs, why are the “more advanced” mammal-like rep-
tiles found in lower layers than any of the dinosaurs?
MORE TRIASSIC REPTILESMORE TRIASSIC REPTILES
JURASSIC DINOSAURSJURASSIC DINOSAURSThere are
supposed to have been around 220 types of Jurassic dinosaurs: some
Lower, some Middle, some
Upper. This is an average of about 70 types in each biome. However,
the actual number could have been less because of
duplicate names.
Big mistake in “Jurassic Park”: T.
rex was a Creta-ceous dinosaur, not
Jurassic.
Big mistake in “Jurassic Park”: T.
rex was a Creta-ceous dinosaur, not
Jurassic.
Above: Diloph- osaurus
(Photo by WIKImedia user Farley Katz)
Right: Yangchu-anosaurus (Photo
by WIKImedia user “Phreakster”)
Sinraptor (Photo by WIKImedia user Farley Katz)
Kentrosaurus (WIKImedia image) Dryosaurus (WIKImedia image)
All the Jurassic dinosaurs appear suddenly and fully
formed, with nothing leading up to them. Once they
arrive, they don’t evolve.
Brachiosaurus (Photo by WIKImedia user Axel Mauruszat)
Flipper of Macroplata - plesiosaur, not a dinosaur
(Photo by the author)
Europasaurus skull (Photo by WIKImedia user Nils Knotschke)
MOREJURASSIC REPTILES
MOREJURASSIC REPTILES
Mamenchisaurus (Photo by WIKImedia user Farley Katz)
Camarasaurus skull (WIKImedia
image)
CRETACEOUS DINOSAURSCRETACEOUS DINOSAURSOver 500 types of dinosaurs
have been named in
Lower, Middle, and Upper Cre-taceous rocks. Taking into ac-count the pos-sibility of dupli-
cate names, each of these
fossil communities
may have averaged a hundred or
more types of dinosaur.
Ankylosaurus (Photo by WIKImedia user Douggers)
Triceratops (Photo by WIKImedia user Michael Gray)Gigantosaurus (Photo by WIKImedia
user Cas Liber)
Like all the others, Creta-ceous dinosaurs appear
suddenly and fully formed, with nothing leading up to
them. Once they arrive, they don’t evolve.
Gallimimus (WIKImedia image)
Deinonychus (WIKImedia image)
Because of duplication and uncertainty, the number of types of dinosaurs is probably much less than a thousand. Even if there
really were hundreds of types of dinosaurs, it wouldn’t prove anything about evolution.
Because of duplication and uncertainty, the number of types of dinosaurs is probably much less than a thousand. Even if there
really were hundreds of types of dinosaurs, it wouldn’t prove anything about evolution.
Let’s use birds for comparison. Let’s use birds for comparison.
There are over 2800 genera of birds living in the world today, divided into well over ten
thousand species. The large number of types does not indicate that they are evolving.
Likewise, a large number of types of dinosaurs has nothing to do with evolution.
There are over 2800 genera of birds living in the world today, divided into well over ten
thousand species. The large number of types does not indicate that they are evolving.
Likewise, a large number of types of dinosaurs has nothing to do with evolution.
DINOSAURS: NOTHING TO DO WITH EVOLUTIONDINOSAURS: NOTHING TO DO WITH EVOLUTION
Every single type of dinosaurappears in the fossil record
suddenly and fully formed with all its identifying characteristics intact. The “last” representatives of each
type are easily recognizable as the same type as the “first.”
Evolution is nowhere to be seen.
Every single type of dinosaurappears in the fossil record
suddenly and fully formed with all its identifying characteristics intact. The “last” representatives of each
type are easily recognizable as the same type as the “first.”
Evolution is nowhere to be seen.
MORECRETACEOUS
REPTILES
MORECRETACEOUS
REPTILES
Edmontosaurus - found in vast herds
Tarbosaurus - similar to T. rex (Photo by WIKImedia user
Thomas Ihle)
Saurolophus - crested head (1877 photo)
Elasmosaurus (plesiosaur) (Author photo)
Tsintaosaurus (WIKImedia image)
The author excavating Edmontosaurus bones
in Wyoming - 2008 (Author photo)
WHY WOULD ANYTHING EVOLVE?WHY WOULD ANYTHING EVOLVE?
Every living thing gets its physical characteristics from the information in its DNA.
Every living thing gets its physical characteristics from the information in its DNA.
Mutations are random copying mistakes during DNA reproduction. In order for anything to evolve, there would
have to be a series of perhaps millions of beneficial mutations in DNA, building up generation after
generation. Mutations would have to be the source of new structures (bones, eyes, wings, feathers, etc.)
However, though some mutations benefit individuals, we have never seen a single one that helped the affected
species, or that added any genetic information.
Mutations are random copying mistakes during DNA reproduction. In order for anything to evolve, there would
have to be a series of perhaps millions of beneficial mutations in DNA, building up generation after
generation. Mutations would have to be the source of new structures (bones, eyes, wings, feathers, etc.)
However, though some mutations benefit individuals, we have never seen a single one that helped the affected
species, or that added any genetic information.
IMPORTANT TYPES OF SAURISCIANS:Sauropods (“lizard-foot”) – largest plant eatersTheropods (“beast-foot”) – thought to eat meat. Included several groups:
Carnosaurs, e.g., T. rexCoelosaurs – included “bird-mimics”Ceratosaurs – short horns on face, like a horned toad
Birds are supposed to have evolved from some sort of theropod, though no one has a specific candidate.
MAJOR TYPES OF DINOSAURS:MAJOR TYPES OF DINOSAURS:
IMPORTANT TYPES OF ORNITHISCIANS:Ceratopsia - Long horns on the face (Triceratops, etc.)Armored dinosaurs (Ankyosaurus, etc.)Thick skulls (Pachycephalosaurus, etc.)Duck-billed dinosaurs (hadrosaurs, e.g., Edmontosaurus)
Are Birds Just Feathered Dinosaurs?Are Birds Just Feathered Dinosaurs?Archaeopteryx - dated about 225 million years old.Archaeopteryx - dated about 225 million years old.
1. It had a long bony tail. So do swans.2. It had claws on its wings. So do the living ostrich, ho- atzin, and touraco.3. It had teeth. So did two undispu- ted fossil birds, Hesperornis and Ichthyornis.4. It had a shallow breastbone. So does the hoatzin.
5. It had hollow bones typical of all birds.6. It had feathers typical of all birds.7. Since its discov- ery, other true birds have been found in rocks dated even older.
ALSO:ALSO:(1) Birds have tube-type lungs as
compared to the sacs on mammals and reptiles;
(2) They are warm-blooded; (3) They have a highly developed
cerebellum and cerebral
(1) Birds have tube-type lungs as compared to the sacs on mammals and reptiles;
(2) They are warm-blooded; (3) They have a highly developed
cerebellum and cerebral
hemisphere to control fine motor activities;
(4) Flapping uses the opposite motion from walking and grasping;
(5) They occur in the earliest dinosaur-bearing strata, not the latest.
hemisphere to control fine motor activities;
(4) Flapping uses the opposite motion from walking and grasping;
(5) They occur in the earliest dinosaur-bearing strata, not the latest.
Photo by the author
The Pelvis: Major Diagnostic Feature of DinosaursThe Pelvis: Major Diagnostic Feature of Dinosaurs
All the dinosaurs that had a some- what birdlike ex-
ternal appearance werevery unbirdlike on theinside, with the typi-cal “lizard-type” pel-vis with four protru-sions characteristicof Order Saur-ischia.
Model of Struthio-mimus, a typical “bird-like” dinosaur that was very un-birdlike on the inside. (Utah State Museum, Vernal, Utah)
Order Ornithischia (the other major type of
dinosaur) had a “bird- type” pelvis with three protru- sions.Since this order is not considered to be the ancestor of birds, evolutionists believe the bird-type pelvis had to evolve independently two separate times -- once in Saurischia, and again in true birds.There is no explanation for how either group could have walked while their pelvis was mutating.
Ph
oto
by th
e auth
or
Were Dinosaurs Ferocious Hunters?Were Dinosaurs Ferocious Hunters?
The teeth of T. rex were up to about 7 inches
long. Only about half of
the tooth was embedded in
the jaw. If it bit a large animal, there would be a great deal of leverage pull-
ing against the roots of its
teeth.
A T. rex fool-ish enough to bite a large dinosaur that was trying to get away would probably have lost some teeth. If T. rex ate meat at all, it was probably small or dead animals.
Photo by the author
How Fast Could a T. rex Run?How Fast Could a T. rex Run?
Any time you take a step, you
put a certain amount of
impact on your leg bones. The
heavier you are and the faster you move, the
more the stress due to the
impact.
A 1991 analysis of T. rex leg bones in Scientific American shows that based on known bone measurements, a large T. rex could not have run faster than about 15 miles per hour without breaking its legs!
Photo by the author
WHAT KILLED OFF THE DINOSAURS?WHAT KILLED OFF THE DINOSAURS?
EVOLUTION:Asteroid impact, or
Volcanos, orGlobal cooling, or
Extinction of plants that servedas natural laxatives (death by
constipation!), or Disease?
CREATION: The Flood.
EVOLUTION:Asteroid impact, or
Volcanos, orGlobal cooling, or
Extinction of plants that servedas natural laxatives (death by
constipation!), or Disease?
CREATION: The Flood.
Could Dinosaurs or Other Large Reptilesbe Mentioned in the Bible?
Could Dinosaurs or Other Large Reptilesbe Mentioned in the Bible?
15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. 16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. 17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews
of his stones are wrapped together. 18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. 19 He is the chief of
the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. 20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. 21 He lieth under the shady
trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. 22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. 23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he
trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. 24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. 16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. 17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews
of his stones are wrapped together. 18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. 19 He is the chief of
the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. 20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. 21 He lieth under the shady
trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. 22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. 23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he
trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. 24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Job 40:15-24 (KJV)Job 40:15-24 (KJV)
BEHEMOTH WAS NO ELEPHANT.BEHEMOTH WAS NO ELEPHANT.
An elephant has a tail like a rope, not a cedar tree.An elephant has a tail like a rope, not a cedar tree.
Could Dinosaurs or Other Large Reptilesbe Mentioned in the Bible?
Could Dinosaurs or Other Large Reptilesbe Mentioned in the Bible?
1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? 2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? 3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will
he speak soft words unto thee? 4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? 5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?
or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? 6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? 7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? 8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. 9 Behold, the hope of him is in
vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? 10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. 16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. 17 They are joined one
to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. 18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. 20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. 21 His breath
kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? 2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? 3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will
he speak soft words unto thee? 4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? 5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?
or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? 6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? 7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? 8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. 9 Behold, the hope of him is in
vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? 10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. 16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. 17 They are joined one
to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. 18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. 20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. 21 His breath
kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
Job 41:1-10, 15-21 (KJV)Job 41:1-10, 15-21 (KJV)
Could Dinosaurs or Other Large Reptilesbe Mentioned in the Bible?
Could Dinosaurs or Other Large Reptilesbe Mentioned in the Bible?
Nine times the Old Testament mentions the “Unicorn” (Hebrew re’ēm). When the Hebrew text was translatedinto the Greek Septuagint, the translators chose the
Greek word “monocera,” meaning “one horn.”
Here’s a one-horned creature!
Monoclonius (WIKImedia image)
HAVE HUMANS EVER SEEN LIVING DINOSAURS?HAVE HUMANS EVER SEEN LIVING DINOSAURS?
Most probably drowned in Noah’s Flood. However, there have been reports of
“dragons” throughout recorded history. The Book of Job describes Behemoth and Leviathan; ancient Chinese, Roman, and
Irish legends tell of dragons. There have also been reports of dinosaurs
(Mokele M’bembe) in central Africa as recently as 2003, and flying reptiles around
the world within the last 10 years!
Want to see a picture of a dinosaur made by somebody that must have seen it?
Want to see a picture of a dinosaur made by somebody that must have seen it?
Mosaic floor at Zippori in North Israel – ca. 300 A.D. – a striped, fat bodied reptile with its tail raised. Sure looks like some sort of dinosaur!
Mosaic floor at Zippori in North Israel – ca. 300 A.D. – a striped, fat bodied reptile with its tail raised. Sure looks like some sort of dinosaur!
Ph
oto
by th
e auth
or
Ph
oto
by th
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Dinosaurs were discovered in the 1800s. We recently concluded they had stripes and fat bodies and did not drag
their tails.
Dinosaurs were discovered in the 1800s. We recently concluded they had stripes and fat bodies and did not drag
their tails.
Other than the lack of a frill at the back of the skull, there is not much difference between the Zippori mosaic and
ceratopsian dinosaurs such as this one.
Other than the lack of a frill at the back of the skull, there is not much difference between the Zippori mosaic and
ceratopsian dinosaurs such as this one.
Artist’s conception of the two-horned dinosaur Zuniceratops by Arthur Weasley (Wikimedia Commons)
Artist’s conception of the two-horned dinosaur Zuniceratops by Arthur Weasley (Wikimedia Commons)
Same mosaic floor in Zippori. What in the world is this creature?
Same mosaic floor in Zippori. What in the world is this creature?
It has a crested head, and something coming out of its mouth. Could it be fire?
It has a crested head, and something coming out of its mouth. Could it be fire?
Ph
oto
by
the
au
tho
rP
ho
to b
y th
e a
uth
or
HAVE HUMANS EVER BEEN WITH DINOSAURS?HAVE HUMANS EVER BEEN WITH DINOSAURS?
Paluxy River track on the “Taylor Trail” in Glenrose, Texas – courtesy of Don Patton. 5-toed human footprint is preserved inside a much larger 3-toed dinosaur print.
HAVE HUMANS EVER SEEN LIVING DINOSAURS?HAVE HUMANS EVER SEEN LIVING DINOSAURS?
Pictures on left courtesy of Dr. Don Patton
Desert carving in Arizona
Carving at Ta Promh Temple in the jun-gle of Cambodia, dating to the late 1100s
--seems to be an unknown dinosaur similar to Stegosaurus
Carvings over a thousand years old in Mexico
Ruins of Ta Prohm Tem-ple. If they look familiar it’s because they were used in the movie “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.”
This carving (the next one down) is not a mythical creature. It looks odd until you compare it to some monkeys and baboons in the world today.
Most car-vings near the dinosaur show recog-nizable crea-tures. Just above is a deer. Below is some type of upright animal that also has a row of plates on its back.
A wild boar typical of the area.
These are real-istic carvings.
SOMEBODY MUST HAVE SEEN A
DINOSAUR.
These are real-istic carvings.
SOMEBODY MUST HAVE SEEN A
DINOSAUR.
Okay, People Have Seen Dinosaurs. But What Should We Learn From Them About God?
Okay, People Have Seen Dinosaurs. But What Should We Learn From Them About God?
1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no
thought can be withholden from thee.3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things
too wonderful for me, which I knew not.4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand
of thee, and declare thou unto me.5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but
now mine eye seeth thee.6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and
ashes.(Job 42:1 - 6 )
WHAT DO DINO-
SAURS HAVE TO DO WITH
THE GOSPEL?
WHAT DO DINO-
SAURS HAVE TO DO WITH
THE GOSPEL?
They were created to show the power and majesty of God, and to lead us to humbly repent before Him!
Have YOU ever done that?
They were created to show the power and majesty of God, and to lead us to humbly repent before Him!
Have YOU ever done that?
For copies of all materials, go to
www.originsresource.org.
Email: [email protected]
For copies of all materials, go to
www.originsresource.org.
Email: [email protected]