May 7, 2025
Though dinosaurs vanished 66 million years ago, their legacy lives on. Common traits include armoured bodies, sharp claws and beaks. And some modern animals still carry these traits that link them to their past. Here are 10 living creatures that share dinosaur traits
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Believe it or not, chickens are the closest living relatives of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. Fossil studies show surprising similarities in bone structure, and scientists have even found shared proteins. Birds are literally living dinosaurs in disguise!
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Crocodiles have changed very little over 200 million years. Their armored skin, strong jaws, and hunting methods tell about their prehistoric ancestors. They're one of the closest modern links to ancient archosaurs, the group that included dinosaurs.
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With their dagger-like claws, helmeted heads, and powerful legs, cassowaries look like they walked out of the Cretaceous. These flightless birds from Australia are often called "modern-day velociraptors" as their powerful claws and kicks can even kill a person.
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Also known as "Jesus lizards," green basilisks can sprint across water using their powerful legs and long tails, traits that are similar to that of small bipedal dinosaurs. Their head crests and reptilian features add to their dino-like appearance.
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Iguanas look like small herbivorous dinosaurs, with spiked tails, scaly skin, and slow, deliberate movements. Some species even have back crests similar to those seen in certain dinosaur fossils.
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Alligators are close relatives of crocodiles and share the same dinosaur-era lineage. Their body armor, stealthy movements, and ambush tactics are similar to those of prehistoric predators.
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Ostriches are large, flightless birds with long legs built for speed, just like some raptor dinosaurs. Their powerful kicks can be lethal, and their skeletal structure shows clear ties to theropod dinosaurs like Gallimimus.
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With long claws, muscular bodies, and sharp teeth, monitor lizards, much like the Komodo dragon, resemble mini carnivorous dinosaurs. Their predatory behaviour and build make them similar to ancient reptiles.
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These ground birds have tough, scaled legs, clawed feet, and a head crest that resembles that of certain prehistoric beasts. Watching them scratch and peck at the ground is similar to the behavior of small, feathered dinosaurs.
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Pelicans aren’t dinosaurs, but their massive wingspans, throat pouches, and soaring flight styles are similar to pterosaurs, the flying reptiles that ruled the skies.
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