What Was the First Dinosaur on Earth?
The title of the first dinosaur on Earth is often debated, but one of the earliest known dinosaurs is Nyasasaurus parringtoni. Dating back about 243 million years ago during the Middle Triassic period, Nyasasaurus is believed to be the bridge between pre-dinosaur reptiles and true dinosaurs.
Fossils of Nyasasaurus were discovered in Tanzania, and while it wasn’t a massive creature, it played a crucial role in the evolution of dinosaurs. It likely stood about 3 feet tall (1 meter) and had a long tail, making it a small but significant ancestor to the mighty giants like T. rex and Brachiosaurus.
Though scientists are still studying early dinosaur evolution, Nyasasaurus gives us a fascinating glimpse into the origins of the prehistoric creatures that would later dominate the Earth for millions of years!
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