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.

Big T Rex Plush Toys

by Angeline Hope

There is simply no point in trying to determine why children are so attracted to T rex plush. Despite their frightening looks, T rex plush are just one of those soft toys that are adored by many.

Tyrannosaurus rex lived 85 to 65 million years ago during the period called Cretaceous. It was a meat-eating dinosaur that was 40 feet in length, up to 20 feet tall and weighed close to 7 tons. Amazingly, its arms were but a mere three feet long but it did have serrated, cone-shaped teeth that were continually replaced. Several fossils of T rex have been found in the United States, Canada, and East Asia; a foot print was found in New Mexico and fossilized dung has also been discovered.

The National Museum of History, located in Washington, D.C., is part of the Smithsonian Institution and is a popular tourist attraction for its amazing display of dinosaur fossils. In particular, is a life-size recreation of Tyrannosaurus rex that is not to be missed. They also have has a Paleobiology department, which is one of the leading centers for paleontological research found in the world. They have what is considered a world-class collection of 40 to 50 million fossil plants and animals. They also have in the collection more than 1,500 catalogued dinosaur specimens.

In 2001, in Hell Creek, Montana, a significant discovery was made by both The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History along with dinosaur experts from the Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University - two T rex specimens. A partial T rex that was found in Hell Creek went to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, while a second, more complete Tyrannosaurus rex, went to the Museum of the Rockies. From June 6 to July 16th, the two teams of experts worked tirelessly in torrential rains, hail, 70 per mile and hour winds, and extreme temperature fluctuations while searching for and then preparing the fossil specimens. This included creating plaster jackets which were made to go around the specimens so they could be moved safely from the expedition site.

When first entering "Dinosaur Hall" at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, you can't help but be awe struck by the gigantic fossilized bones of the 40 foot long Tyrannosaurus rex. Just standing next to it and imagining it walking the earth 65 million years ago, is mind-boggling.

Whether or not there is opportunity to visit the wondrous sites at the Smithsonian in Washington, that should not stop you from having a T rex plush. It is after all, a wonderful replication of the enormous animal that became extinct millions of years ago. Despite its fearsome looks and reputation, a T rex plush is a terrific keepsake for anyone that can't get enough of dinosaurs.