Why Were Dinosaurs So Successful

[kmack]

165 Million Years. That is the amount of time the Earth was dominated by what we today call Dinosaurs. As humans, we have dominated the world in such a way as the dinosaurs for a few thousand years, our earliest relatives have been around for just 5 million years. In fact, it is thought many dinosaurs still exist today, as the only ones to survive the great extinction in the Cretaceos were feathered and eventually are thought to have evolved into birds. With the path we are taking, we will undoubtedly be long extinct by our own devices before 165 million years, not including a catastrophic astral event such as the one that brought upon the end of the dinosaurs.

Why did they conquer the world 210 million years ago. What was it that made their longevity so incredible? What as humans, can we do to ensure our existance last 1 million years? 50 million years? 100 million years? Can we possibly expect to survive as long as the dinosaurs?

I just read an extremely interesting article on this, and wanted to see if anyone had some opinions, no "Because teh raptors were leet" answers please.

 

[Harryz]

I wouldn't call it successful if they were wiped out.

 

[johnmedz]

this thread makes me wanna shoot myself.
if you want to know facts about dinosaurs, u can use google. I know you didnt hope to find a dinosaur expert on the half life 2 forum. "dinosaur extinction" at google.com. The wonders of the internet!

 

[The Mullinator]

165 Million Years. That is the amount of time the Earth was dominated by what we today call Dinosaurs. As humans, we have dominated the world in such a way as the dinosaurs for a few thousand years, our earliest relatives have been around for just 5 million years. In fact, it is thought many dinosaurs still exist today, as the only ones to survive the great extinction in the Cretaceos were feathered and eventually are thought to have evolved into birds. With the path we are taking, we will undoubtedly be long extinct by our own devices before 165 million years, not including a catastrophic astral event such as the one that brought upon the end of the dinosaurs.

Why did they conquer the world 210 million years ago. What was it that made their longevity so incredible? What as humans, can we do to ensure our existance last 1 million years? 50 million years? 100 million years? Can we possibly expect to survive as long as the dinosaurs?

I just read an extremely interesting article on this, and wanted to see if anyone had some opinions, no "Because teh raptors were leet" answers please.

Dinosaur is really just a very general term to describe a certain type of reptile really. The differences between dinosaurs are about as vast as the differences between mammals or birds today. Some dinosaurs lasted for a very long time and some died out rather quickly, just like some birds and mammals.

 

[Hazar]

they ate everything

 

[kmack]

this thread makes me wanna shoot myself.
if you want to know facts about dinosaurs, u can use google. I know you didnt hope to find a dinosaur expert on the half life 2 forum. "dinosaur extinction" at google.com. The wonders of the internet!

I know the facts meathead, the questions I asked were more about informed opinion. Way to go though, that post was real useful.

 

[Burn]

To put it in the words of mr Smith "Humans are a virus"

Think of it, the worst thing to happan to this planet is us, unlike every other thing on Earth, we cant live without useing up the planets resoruces, at least we cant now. Dinos did'nt build power planets that sucked up the earths energy, they did'nt drop bombs, etc.

They lived for so long because they lived with natures balance, one dino eats a tree, anouther eats that dino, that dino dies and around one eats that. With humans we destroy woodland areas, we spray land with Cems that are bad for the earth. All in all the only way we will live that long is if we move to other planets, destroying them as we go.

We also have helped other things along the road of death by hunting them. If dinos had been around at the same time of us, we would of killed them too.

All in all, I think we suck.

edit: johnmedz, if your not going to take part in the thread, dont post.

 

[johnmedz]

I know the facts meathead, the questions I asked were more about informed opinion. Way to go though, that post was real useful.

well, seeing as you are the one with warning level: 8, i know this isnt the first time your posts have been critisizd. I gave u helpful information on where to find what you need to know.

I have trouble seeing a dinosaur thread taking off into a heated discussion. Did u use google? did u find what you wanted to know? thanks for stopping by

 

[kmack]

Dinosaur is really just a very general term to describe a certain type of reptile really. The differences between dinosaurs are about as vast as the differences between mammals or birds today. Some dinosaurs lasted for a very long time and some died out rather quickly, just like some birds and mammals.

That's very true, but as a whole, dinosaurs have incredible longevity. As for the differences between mammals or birds relating to dinosaurs that is an inaccurate metahpor as birds and mammals are different classes of species altogether, while dinosaurs were all different orders, if not families. (Animal Kingdom rules)

 

[kmack]

well, seeing as you are the one with warning level: 8, i know this isnt the first time your posts have been critisizd. I gave u helpful information on where to find what you need to know.

I have trouble seeing a dinosaur thread taking off into a heated discussion. Did u use google? did u find what you wanted to know? thanks for stopping by

I know all the facts. I do not need google, this is for opinions only, i want to see what people believe led to the dinosaurs longevity. This is in general off topic, please don't come in here telling me to use google. Keep the rest of this to Pms. This is the first THREAD i have ever had criticized.

No one else who has posted in here had the problem you did.

 

[Fat Tony!]

Ritz knows it, but on teh topic of Dinosaurs, I'd say it's a stupid question, it's like asking why there are so many animals still living on the earth, way too vague...

 

[CrazyHarij]

This is why: http://cheston.com/pbf/PBF025BCDinosaurMeteors.html

 

[kmack]

Ritz knows it, but on teh topic of Dinosaurs, I'd say it's a stupid question, it's like asking why there are so many animals still living on the earth, way too vague...

Ya you are right.

How about, Will Humans (make it primates as dinosaurs were made up of many relatives) survive on earth for as long as the dinosaurs? Why or why not?

 

[Fishlore]

More importantly do you think humans will be able to survive our catostrophic, civilization ending event that will happen not if, but when? The "dinosaurs" were very successful, will humans be more or less so?

Without the ability to reason, dinosaurs inadvertanly reached a balance with their environment, something humans will never be able to do. We're also blessed with the ability to get off this rock. Are we doing anything about it? Sort of but not really.

Personally I think when alien archeologists dig through Earth's ruins they'll see dinos lasting much longer than us.

 

[Fat Tony!]

Erm dunno really, 50/50 either way, we are good at making problems but we have the power to clear up major problems too such as a huge meteor could be destroyed or put off course

 

[qckbeam]

Ya you are right.

How about, Will Humans (make it primates as dinosaurs were made up of many relatives) survive on earth for as long as the dinosaurs? Why or why not?

We have the ability to do so if we really wanted to but we won't because we, as a species, are far too petty, shortsighted and selfish to do so. We'll either destroy the earth, or ourselves. My guess is we'll end up destroying both at the same time, sealing our fate and the fate of this planet with one stroke.

 

[kmack]

More importantly do you think humans will be able to survive our catostrophic, civilization ending event that will happen not if, but when? The "dinosaurs" were very successful, will humans be more or less so?

Without the ability to reason, dinosaurs inadvertanly reached a balance with their environment, something humans will never be able to do. We're also blessed with the ability to get off this rock. Are we doing anything about it? Sort of but not really.

Personally I think when alien archeologists dig through Earth's ruins they'll see dinos lasting much longer than us.

Very good point, we, for some reason believe that the earth belongs to us, that we can do as we please to the environment and take over the planet in a way it has not been taked over in its existance. We are really doomed

 

[johnmedz]

well... i have stayed on topic and will continue to. kmack, dont PM me telling me what i can and cannot post. i know the rules of the forum. grow up

I dont understand how this question can be very opinionated. There are scientific indications of why dinosaurs lived so long. They were a thriving species who didnt have a lack of vegetation and had nearly no pollution in the air. I dont know how you can say that they have lived any longer than any other group of animals because Mammals have been around forever, and insects, and bacteria. Also, dinosaurs still exist in the form of reptiles and even some birds, yes its true. There are gradual shifts in bone structure and feather growth on some dinosaurs, as well as the beak, that give clear pointers to their ancestral heritage.

Animals evolve, so the dinosaurs you would see now are much different from those you would perceive as "dinosaurs". If you want this viewpoints explained further, find a website on dinosaurs. this topic isnt about opinion, its about fact. can i be more on-topic kmack?

 

[Fishlore]

We definitely have much more to worry about than meteors, comets and asteroids.

Overpopulation, climate change, pandemic outbreaks and increased volcanism including super volcanoes are also a given on a geologic timeline.

Basically the longer humankind exists the greater the liklihood of being assaulted by something we can't control.

 

[MarcoPollo]

too bad dinosaurs were teh inefficentzoors and the had to eat a sh*t load of food to get any ammount of energy out of it.

 

[johnmedz]

marcopollo, thats gonna be my new sig. that just cracked me up when i read it
"dinosaurs were teh inefficientzoors"

 

[MarcoPollo]

lol np ^^ After i read it i was like "hey that would be a funy sig" but it would be stupid to quote ur self lol

 

[kirovman]

Yeah, they're really successful, and about 165 million years ago, they went off to explore the galaxy in their spaceships, leaving no traces behind except the bones of their fallen comrades.

When we meet the dinosaurs in the future I expect them to be more advanced than us, with bigger guns. I for one welcome our cold-blooded oppressors.

 

[MarcoPollo]

^ haha nice ellusion

 

[kmack]

this thread makes me wanna shoot myself.
if you want to know facts about dinosaurs, u can use google. I know you didnt hope to find a dinosaur expert on the half life 2 forum. "dinosaur extinction" at google.com. The wonders of the internet!

Look at what you wrote in your very first post to the topic.

I was simply asking you not to waltz in here and talk down to me.

Everyone else likes the topic so far.

 

[kmack]

too bad dinosaurs were teh inefficentzoors and the had to eat a sh*t load of food to get any ammount of energy out of it.

When you open up a can of spaghetti O's, how much energy went into that? Growing the wheat and tomatoes, shipping it to factories, turning it into delicious pasta O's and sauce, canning it, shipping it to a store, running the store, opening the can, running the microwave and eating it. Even when we eat a steak, its still a grown animal that is mechanically slaughtered, butchered, shipped, kept cold, put into a grocery store, bought, driven home, cooked on a grill, then eaten.

We use a lot food and energy getting our food too.

 

[kmack]

well... i have stayed on topic and will continue to. kmack, dont PM me telling me what i can and cannot post. i know the rules of the forum. grow up

I dont understand how this question can be very opinionated. There are scientific indications of why dinosaurs lived so long. They were a thriving species who didnt have a lack of vegetation and had nearly no pollution in the air. I dont know how you can say that they have lived any longer than any other group of animals because Mammals have been around forever, and insects, and bacteria. Also, dinosaurs still exist in the form of reptiles and even some birds, yes its true. There are gradual shifts in bone structure and feather growth on some dinosaurs, as well as the beak, that give clear pointers to their ancestral heritage.

Animals evolve, so the dinosaurs you would see now are much different from those you would perceive as "dinosaurs". If you want this viewpoints explained further, find a website on dinosaurs. this topic isnt about opinion, its about fact. can i be more on-topic kmack?

Congratulations! You are on topic, I will be back shortly once I am finished making cookies and putting whipped cream on them for my big on-topic boy!

 

[MarcoPollo]

When you open up a can of spaghetti O's, how much energy went into that? Growing the wheat and tomatoes, shipping it to factories, turning it into delicious pasta O's and sauce, canning it, shipping it to a store, running the store, opening the can, running the microwave and eating it. Even when we eat a steak, its still a grown animal that is mechanically slaughtered, butchered, shipped, kept cold, put into a grocery store, bought, driven home, cooked on a grill, then eaten.

We use a lot food and energy getting our food too.

Um i don't think u understood what i was saying.....did u ever take Advanced Bio 1-2 lol

Im talking about the energy pyramids (if you are fimiliar with those)

 

[kmack]

Um i don't think u understood what i was saying.....did u ever take Advanced Bio 1-2 lol

Im talking about the energy pyramids (if you are fimiliar with those)

I know what you mean, that they must eat a great deal to maintain such a large body and hunting capabilities, but frankly, they used food as a fuel to make hunting and eating possible. We simply use other things (far worse things like oil and coal) to supply the energy to keep us fed.

 

[WacK]

I wouldn't call it successful if they were wiped out.

haha.. :sniper:

 

[MarcoPollo]

I know what you mean, that they must eat a great deal to maintain such a large body and hunting capabilities, but frankly, they used food as a fuel to make hunting and eating possible. We simply use other things (far worse things like oil and coal) to supply the energy to keep us fed.

Yeh but dinosaurs got pwned by evolution and thin atmosphere

 

[kmack]

Yeh but dinosaurs got pwned by evolution and thin atmosphere

and an asteroid :naughty:

They are still about 160 million years up on us though

 

[MarcoPollo]

and an asteroid :naughty:

^^ because thin atmosphere

 

[kmack]

^^ because thin atmosphere

and they are still winning by 160 Million years :naughty:

 

[el Chi]

I just read an extremely interesting article on this, and wanted to see if anyone had some opinions, no "Because teh raptors were leet" answers please.

Pffft - velociraptors were ok but they weren't the best dinosaur by a long way. Jurassic Park propaganda, that's all.
Dinosaurs were great though. I reckon in a fight between a pirate and/or a ninja, most dinosaurs would win. *


*May or may not be true.

 

[Ames]

Velociraptors in Jurassic Park were moddeled after its larger relative, the Deinonychus.

 

[kirovman]

Velociraptors in Jurassic Park were moddeled after its larger relative, the Deinonychus.

Yeah the actual Veliciraptor was actually a tiny thing wasn't it?

They probably just used the name because it is easier to say than Deinonychus.

 

[el Chi]

They sure were

I feel mildly pathetic for knowing this, but the fact of the matter is that dinosaurs were a large part of my childhood. My parents worked abroad a lot so I was raised, for the most part, by a herd of triceratops.

 

[Steve]

How about this? How successful would a dinosaur be in today's world of the internet, global economies, and lots of things to smash?

 

[el Chi]

How about this? How successful would a dinosaur be in today's world of the internet, global economies, and lots of things to smash?

I smell a sitcom!