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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"39135","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":"dinosalive"}}]]This "Never Stop Asking Why" question was submitted by Isabella, age 3, and is answered by Natural Science Curator and Paleontologist Dallas Evans.
Why are there no dinosaurs alive now?
Those familiar prehistoric beasts like T. rex, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus…are now extinct. They died at the end of the Cretaceous Period and are lost in time, with only fossils remaining.
Yes, that sounds pretty sad, but there is good news...and even some great news!
First the good news...Dinosaur fossils are an amazing thing to discover! It's through the excavation of their fossil remains that we're able to learn how dinosaurs lived and what the world was like when they roamed the planet.
The great news? Paleontologists now believe that not all dinosaur groups went extinct. One group still exists, and we see their descendants all the time—the birds.
And let’s face it— birds are incredible animals. There are many different types of birds and they have behaviors that are fascinating to watch.
I think that works out for the best. As much as I love dinosaurs, I’d rather have a blue jay at my backyard birdfeeder than a T. rex.
Looking for more Never Stop Asking "Why?" questions? Catch up on all of the past "Why's" on the blog!
