Where Are All the Tiny Dinosaurs?

TL;DR

There is evidence of tiny dinosaurs existing alongside the massive ones we know, based on fossilized footprints found in South Korea.

Transcript

[ ♪INTRO ] The non-avian dinosaurs — the giants of the Mesozoic — reached sizes no land mammal has ever dreamed of. There were massive meat-eaters, not to mention those long-necked herbivores. But today’s dinosaurs — that is, birds — are a lot smaller. I mean, the bee hummingbird is basically bee-sized, and it lays eggs the size of coffee beans. So... Read More

Key Insights

• 👣 There is an ongoing debate in paleontology about the existence of tiny dinosaurs, but the discovery of footprints provides evidence of their existence.
• 🤑 The fossil record is biased towards larger dinosaurs, making it challenging to find evidence of smaller ones.
• 🇰🇷 Well-preserved footprints in South Korea, such as Minisauripus, reveal detailed impressions of skin and scales, confirming they were not made by birds or their ancestors.
• 💗 Some footprints, like Dromaeosauriformipes rarus, suggest the presence of fully grown tiny dinosaurs, possibly Velociraptor-like.
• 🧑 There is uncertainty about whether the footprints were made by adults or hatchlings, highlighting the need for skeletal remains for confirmation.
• 🦕 The discovery of tiny dinosaurs through footprints provides valuable information about past ecosystems and the diversity of dinosaur species.
• 👣 Fossilized footprints offer a unique perspective on the size and behavior of dinosaurs, even when skeletal remains are not found.

Questions & Answers

Q: Were there tiny dinosaurs in the Mesozoic era?

Yes, there is evidence from fossilized footprints that indicate the existence of tiny dinosaurs, with some estimated to be about the size of a blackbird.

Q: How do footprints provide evidence of dinosaurs?

Footprints, known as ichnotaxa, are considered trace fossils and can provide insights into the size and behavior of dinosaurs, even if their skeletal remains aren't found.

Q: Why haven't we found more small dinosaur fossils?

Small bodies are more fragile and less likely to be preserved as fossils. Additionally, small fossils are not as easily noticeable as larger ones.

Q: How do scientists determine the size of dinosaurs based on footprints?

While it is challenging to accurately estimate size, scientists can compare the size of footprints to existing dinosaur species and make educated guesses based on track similarities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Paleontologists debate whether there were numerous species of tiny dinosaurs or if non-avian dinosaurs were generally larger.

• Fossilized footprints in South Korea, particularly those of the Minisauripus, provide evidence of tiny dinosaurs, estimated to be about 28 centimeters long and weighing only a few dozen grams.

• Another set of footprints called Dromaeosauriformipes rarus suggest the presence of a Velociraptor-like dinosaur that, when fully grown, was small enough to fit in hands. However, it is unclear whether the tracks were made by hatchlings or adults.