7 minute lesson
A Closer Look at the Dinosaurs with Us Today!
You’ve probably heard that the humble chicken is the closest living relative to the mighty Tyrannosaurs Rex, but do you know why that is?
We’re going to take you on an evolutionary journey that will leave you feeling a little smarter, and have you looking at the birds around you with a little more wonder.
Whether you’re a full dinosaur specialist or totally new to this whole “birds are the dinosaurs of today thing,” we will introduce you to all you need to know about the evidence that links pigeon to Protoceratops. Here’s a great video from PBS Digitial Studios’ It’s Okay to Be Smart to leave you the smartest person in the room.
Why It Matters
There’s plenty to dig into there! Let’s start with what this all means for any one of us who aren’t paleontologists.
To begin with, knowing about the connection between birds and dinosaurs is a relatively recent discovery! It wasn’t until the 1970s and 80s that the theory was widely accepted. It’s pretty incredible to think how quickly new discoveries can shift our perspective on the world.
It’s also fascinating to think about the scale of time for life on this planet. Think about how long the dinosaur fossils we have laid buried in time. They have been here longer than humans have been on this planet, longer than our continents have been shaped the way we know them to be today. Oceans and lands have come and gone, and we are looking at the bones of creatures that were alive that far back in time!
Let's Talk About It
It’s Okay To Be Smart
Joe Hanson, Ph.D. is a curious group of atoms in a curious universe, and he’s here to tell you how it all works. New science videos come out every week on the It’s Okay To Be Smart Channel!
Find Joe on Twitter: @okaytobesmart or @DrJoeHanson.