Best Dinosaur Field Guides

by John Deli

 
  Field guides are a superb way to get a detailed outlook of any kind of field. Dinosaur Field Guides present us with a listing or a guidebook of many different types of dinosaur species. These guides are beneficial for dinosaur lovers, and for adults and children interested in finding out more about the kinds of dinosaurs that once existed. Here is a listing of a number of the leading dinosaur field guides out there. *Note: They are not listed in any selected order.

The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs. By Gregory S. Paul. (2010)

This 320 page dinosaur guidebook gives a comprehensive guide to more than 735 dinosaur species. Divided into 2 key aspects, the first focuses on the science of dinosaurs in general; such as evolution, biology, habitat, etc. The second and considerably lengthier component of the book groups species of dinosaurs on a range of characteristics. It includes illustrations of dinosaurs, skeletal and muscular drawings and also maps of bone distribution. This field guide also incorporates latest research. A superb deal for the price and just how much information it contains, there are minimal complaints. Some would prefer there to be additional illustrations, whilst other individuals felt the illustrations in this guide were quite lavish. It ought to be mentioned that this book is pretty large in size (it's measurements are 10.9 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches) so it's not convenient for carrying around to a museum, school, and so forth. Nonetheless, this is still regarded as an very good reference guide that can appeal to all dinosaur fans.

Field Guide to Dinosaurs. By Steve Brusatte. (2009)

This guidebook is filled with over 170 computer generated dinosaur pictures that are large and detailed. It is on account of this that this field guide is recommended for kids ages 9 to 12. The writer, Steve Brusatte, a paleontology researcher and also works in the American Museum of Natural History, is claimed to write in a method that's simple to grasp and holds the reader's interest. The major draw is the large illustrations within this book that is highly exciting to children along with adult dinosaur fans. The size of this field guide (14.2 x 11.3 x 0.7 inches) is both a pro and a con; it is bulky so it is not the most convenient to carry around, having said that, the largeness does make it possible for some of the dinosaur illustrations to be actual size! All in all, this dinosaur field guide is suggested for children but will be well-liked by adults too.

A Field Guide to Dinosaurs: The Essential Handbook for Travelers in the Mesozoic. By Henry Gee. Illustrations by Luis V. Rey. (2003)

This 144 paged guide is regarded to generally be a good field guide for beginners. Divided into pre-historic eras ranging from Triassic to Late Cretaceous, the drawings and illustrations in this guidebook are well-done and interesting. This field guide helps make it clear that this is a work of fiction, meaning that the pictures of dinosaurs are guesses on how they might have looked according to their bone structure. It is suggested for children in grades 9 through 12, and is found to be easily readable for this age group. Some people do believe that the information within this guide is not the most thorough, and tends to be average. However, this book is a great addition to any dinosaur book collection, in addition to a decent beginner book for anyone with a lighter interest in dinosaurs.

Jurassic Park Institue: Dinosaur Field Guide. By Dr. Thomas R. Holtz Jr., and Dr. Michael Brett-Surman. Illustrated by Robert Walters. (2001)

This short guidebook (160 pages) is appropriate for kids that are dinosaur fans. It can be an educational solution to give kids the dino fix they crave. It is recommended for children ages 4 to 8. One particular well-liked characteristic is the comparison of the dinosaurs to the human child size and it also includes plenty of enjoyable facts on the dinosaurs preferred snacks and what movies you can find a specific dinosaur in. Adults can appreciate going through this dinosaur encyclopedia also. However, this book was written in 2001, so it doesn't have the most totally up to date dinosaur species. This book seems most intended for kids but does not deliver the most current information.

So as you can see dinosaur documentaries are not the only method to learn about dinosaurs. Dinosaur field guides act an excellent supplement to dinosaur documentaries.

Spinosaurus The Sailback Carnosaur

by Claudia Mann 

Jurassic Park 3 made Spinosaurus famous: Spinosaur was the ferocious star of the film! But we all know that films take great liberty with the truth, so let's see what paleontologists can tell us about the real Spinosaur.

How Big Is Big?

How huge? Scientist estimate spinosaurus to be 40 to 56 feet or 12 to 17 meters from head to tail. Spinosaurus' body looks a lot like that of T-Rex, but there are a couple of obvious differences. Of course, T-Rex didn't carry that large sail-like fins made of 6-foot spines. And the front arms of the spinosaurus are heavier and longer than T-Rex's arms. Some scientists think this means that spinosaurus used them for walking, while others say these strong front arms could really get a grip on dinner. The head of spinosaur was longer, more narrow, and not as heavily built as that of T-Rex.

What About The Spines?

Whoever named this beast wasn't having the most creative day. Spinosaurus means "spiny lizard." There were large spines extending from the vertebrae along its back. And when I say large, I mean they could grow up to 6 feet long! Most researchers believe that the spines were covered with a membrane of skin that filled in the spaces between the spines, sort of the way webbing fills in the spaces between the "toes" of a duck This made a sail-like fin that could have helped control body heat. Some researchers think that the sail could have been extended or collapsed at least to some extent. Perhaps then the sail could be used get some other dino's attention.The First SpinosaurSpinosaurus was discovered in 1912 by a German paleontologist. Ernst Stromer found the first and most complete specimen in Egypt. Sadly, this specimen met its demise for a second time during the bombing of Munich in WWII. No spinosaurs since Stromer's first find have been as complete.

Spinosaur Teeth

The long narrow snout of spinosaurus contained jaws full of sharply pointed teeth. Unlike the steak knife serrations of T-rex teeth, Spinosaur teeth were smooth and round. Because of the resemblance to the bite of crocodiles, where the upper teeth of the spinosaurus interlock with the lower teeth, scientists think spinosaurus might have had a diet consisting primarily of fish. To add weight to the fish diet theory, acid etched Fish scales have been found in spinosaurs stomachs. While their bodies are well-adapted for meat, their particular variety may have been of the swimming type.