Ornithopods (Ornithopoda) were a highly successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs that thrived from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous. Known for their "bird-footed" locomotion, they adapted efficient chewing systems and often moved on two legs. Their diversity ranged from small, nimble forms to large, crested species, making them important plant-eaters in Mesozoic ecosystems.
- Herbivorous dinosaurs with advanced teeth for chewing.
- Used bipedal (two-legged) and sometimes quadrupedal (four-legged) locomotion.
- Flourished from Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous period.
- Included some of the most common and diverse dinosaur species.
Ornithopods lived from the Late Triassic through the Cretaceous periods.
Ornithopods were herbivorous, had advanced teeth for chewing, and could walk bipedally or quadrupedally.
Ornithopods are part of the Ornithischia ('bird-hipped') dinosaur clade.
What is an Ornithopod?
Include a concise summary of the [What is an Ornithopod?] page here, highlighting their main traits and significance.
Ornithopods are members of Ornithischia, the 'bird-hipped' dinosaurs, and are not direct ancestors of birds.
Ornithopods had bipedal/quadrupedal locomotion, tooth batteries for chewing, and were herbivores.
Ornithopods thrived during the Mesozoic era.
Examples of Ornithopods: Ornithopoda
Include a summary of key ornithopod examples from this page, noting some defining features of each.
Iguanodon, Hypsilophodon, and Hadrosaurus are well-known ornithopods.
Iguanodon is notable for its distinctive thumb spikes.
Hadrosaurids had duck-billed snouts, advanced chewing apparatus, and some had crests.
No, ornithopods are not ancestors of birds; they are in the Ornithischia group.
Ornithopods ranged from the Late Triassic through the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Conclusion
Ornithopods were innovative, adaptable herbivores that shaped dinosaur ecosystems for over 150 million years. Their fossil record reveals crucial insights into dinosaur evolution, diversity, and paleobiology.
- Ornithopods combined efficient herbivory with versatile locomotion, enabling their success.
- They include familiar genera like Iguanodon and the duck-billed hadrosaurids.
- As Ornithopoda, they exemplify the importance of form and function in dinosaur history.
'Ornithopoda' means 'bird feet', referring to their distinctive foot structure.
Ornithopods are classified within the Ornithischia.
Ornithopods were herbivores with complex chewing teeth and could walk bipedally or quadrupedally.
Ornithopods lived from the Late Triassic through the end of the Cretaceous.
Iguanodon, Hypsilophodon, and Hadrosaurus are classic ornithopods.
Iguanodon had a distinctive thumb spike.
Hadrosaurids had duck-like snouts, advanced teeth for chewing, and some had crests.
No, ornithopods are not ancestral to birds; they belong to the Ornithischia.
Ornithopods lived through the Late Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.