Dinosaur Glossary N - Q
A - C | D - G | H - M
| N - Q | R - Z
N
Nest
Some dinosaurs laid their eggs and raised their young in nests. Some
fossilized nests have been found, including those of the plant-eating
dinosaur Maiasaura.
O
Omnivores
Animals that eat both animals and plants.
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Order
A group of related or similar organisms. An order contains one or more
families. A group of similar orders forms a class.
Ornithischian
Herbivorous dinosaurs that had hips structured like bird's hips. The word ornithischian means "bird-hipped".
The ankylosaurid, ceratopsian, and hadrosaurid families are all ornithischian.
Overburden
The rock that lies on top of a fossil.
P
Pachycephalosaurs
A group of dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous period that were herbivorous, bipedal, ornithischian and had very
thick skulls. The word pachycephalosaur means "thick-headed lizard".
Paleobotany
The branch of botany that studies the plants that existed in former
geological periods, chiefly by studying fossils.
Paleontology
The branch of biology that studies the forms of life that existed in
former geologic periods, chiefly by studying fossils. "Paleo" means
old or ancient. "Ontology" is the study of existence ("onto-" means
existence, "-logy" is the study of something).
Paleontologist
A scientist who studies paleontology, the forms of life that existed
in former geologic periods, chiefly by studying fossils. "Paleo" means
old or ancient. "Ontology" is the study of existence ("onto-" means
existence, "-logy" is the study of something). This "-ist" at the end
means a person who is involved in the field.
Paleozoic Era
The Paleozoic (meaning "ancient life") ended with the largest mass
extinction in geological history and was followed by the Mesozoic Era,
the time of the dinosaurs.
Pangaea
A supercontinent consisting of all of Earth's land masses. It
began breaking up during the Jurassic period, forming new continents.
Panthalassa
The super-ocean that existed on Earth during the time of the
super-continent Pangaea.
Permian Period
"The Age of Amphibians" (280 to 248 million years ago), is when Pangaea was formed. It ended with the largest mass extinction and was followed by the Mesozoic Period.
Petrification
The process in which an organic tissue turns to stone.
Plesiosaurs
Flippered, sea-dwelling reptiles from the Mesozoic era. They were not dinosaurs.
Prehistoric
The time before people began recording history in writing. This time
varies from culture to culture.
Preparator
A person who carefully removes a fossil from its rock mold.
Prey
An animal is prey when another animal hunts and kills it for food.
Pterosaurs
Winged, flying prehistoric reptiles that were closely related to dinosaurs. Pterosaur means "winged lizard".
Q
Quadraped
Any creature that walks on four legs.
Quaternary period
"The Age of Man" (1.8 million years ago to the present), is the most
recent period of geological time.
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