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Why are dinosaurs called dinosaurs?

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The word 'dinosaur' is derived from Greek, meaning 'Terrible (orFearfully-great) Lizard'. Contary to their name, dinosaurs are notlizards. Lizards (Squamata) are a different group within Reptilia. The dinosaurs are by many comparisons, one of the most successfulreptilian, or even land inhabiting, life forms ever to walk theearth. read more

Dinosaur come from the combination of two Ancient Greek words - Deinos (terrible) and sauros (lizard). Sir Richard Owen combined these two words in 1841 to describe what the animals that left huge fossil skeletons must have been like. read more

Dinosaurs are hatched from eggs, therefore new baby dinosaurs are called hatchlings, just like their reptile cousins the turtles and crocodiles. Young dinosaurs, beyond the hatchling stage, are referred to as juveniles. read more

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Our Dinosaurs – The Dino Expo
Source: thedinoexpo.com

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