Dinosaurs were a diverse group of prehistoric reptiles that dominated Earth's terrestrial ecosystems for over 165 million years during the Mesozoic Era....
The term "dinosaur" was coined by Sir Richard Owen in 1842, meaning "terrible lizard" in Greek, reflecting their impressive size and reptilian nature.
Dinosaurs lived during the Mesozoic Era, which spanned approximately 252 to 66 million years ago. This era is divided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.
The most widely accepted theory points to a large asteroid impact near Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula about 66 million years ago, causing widespread environmental devastation and a mass extinction event.
Yes, modern scientific consensus classifies birds as direct descendants of avian dinosaurs, making them the only surviving lineage of dinosaurs today.
While subject to ongoing research, Argentinosaurus is often cited as one of the largest, estimated to weigh up to 100 tons and measure over 100 feet long. Patagotitan is another strong contender.