Contrary to popular belief, it is most likely that the mass extinction of the dinosaurs had more catalysts than the impact of a six-mile long asteroid with Earth’s surface. In fact, many species were endangered, or even extinct, many years before the cosmic explosion. For millions of years before the asteroid hit Earth, populations had been suffering due to drastic climate swings, similar to the ones we are facing now. The giant reptiles that once flourished were dying out, no longer suitable for their ever changing environment.
Just how many species became extinct? The answer is still unclear, as new genera (about 15 per year) are being found. In the Dinosauria (1990), the number of known genera was placed at 285, but, by June of 2008, this number had nearly doubled at 527 and, as of October 2012, the count was set to be at around 1000. In a study done in 2006, scientists predicted that there were over 1300 species yet to be discovered. The exact population sizes of dinosaur genera cannot be determined, as, for many species, there is only one known representative and the percentage of individuals preserved in the fossil record is unknown.
Dinosaurs were fast reproducers, laying eggs helped them to produce more offspring in less time. The key limiting factor on population size was the limitation of vegetation for the feeding omnivores and herbivores. Very few individuals would be able to survive off the insufficient amount of plants that are commonly available in excess today, making them unfit for a present day environment.
Just how many species became extinct? The answer is still unclear, as new genera (about 15 per year) are being found. In the Dinosauria (1990), the number of known genera was placed at 285, but, by June of 2008, this number had nearly doubled at 527 and, as of October 2012, the count was set to be at around 1000. In a study done in 2006, scientists predicted that there were over 1300 species yet to be discovered. The exact population sizes of dinosaur genera cannot be determined, as, for many species, there is only one known representative and the percentage of individuals preserved in the fossil record is unknown.
Dinosaurs were fast reproducers, laying eggs helped them to produce more offspring in less time. The key limiting factor on population size was the limitation of vegetation for the feeding omnivores and herbivores. Very few individuals would be able to survive off the insufficient amount of plants that are commonly available in excess today, making them unfit for a present day environment.