Dinosaurs may have gone extinct 66 million years ago, but their legacy lives on in surprising ways. A study published in Nature in 2017 radically rearranged the dinosaur family tree, providing new insights into dinosaur origins and evolution.
This reshuffling of prehistoric relationships has led scientists to identify some unexpected modern-day relatives of these ancient beasts.
Ready to meet some of dinosaurs’ surprising living cousins?
1. Birds: T. rex’s Living Legacy
Believe it or not, birds are the only living descendants of theropod dinosaurs. Different species showcase various dinosaur traits: chickens share DNA with T. rex, while ostriches showcase dinosaur-like locomotion, using their powerful legs to reach speeds of up to 43 mph, as noted by Live Science.
2. Crocodilians: Ancient Survivors
Crocodiles and alligators represent the closest living relatives to dinosaurs after birds. The armored predators have retained many traits of their ancient ancestors, remaining largely unchanged for over 200 million years, as reported by ScienceDaily.
3. Sea Turtles: Mariners Through Time
NOAA says sea turtles emerged about 110 million years ago and survived the mass extinction event. Their ancient lineage is reflected in their unique anatomy and marine adaptations.
4. Sharks: Living Fossils
Sharks, which predate dinosaurs by 200 million years, have roamed the oceans for over 400 million years, according to Shark Trust. They represent one of the most successful evolutionary lineages in animal history.
5. Snakes: Adaptable Ancients
Evolving during the Jurassic period, snakes developed their distinctive flexible skulls before losing their limbs. The slithering reptiles represent a remarkable example of evolutionary adaptation.
6. Monitor Lizards: Dragon Cousins
Powerful predatory lizards share numerous features with dinosaurs, including similar stance, gait, and predatory behaviors. Monitor lizards represent some of the largest living reptiles.
7. Tuatara: Living Time Capsules
Native to New Zealand, tuatara are often referred to as “living fossils” because they have remained virtually unchanged for 190 million years, according to a study from Harvard. They are the last surviving members of their ancient order.
8. Bees: Mesozoic Pollinators
Bees first emerged approximately 120 million years ago, playing a vital role in the evolution of flowering plants during the age of dinosaurs, as noted by the Museum of the Earth.
9. Horseshoe Crabs: Blue-Blooded Survivors
Ancient arthropods have been around for over 450 million years, enduring multiple mass extinction events, including the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, according to the Natural History Museum.
10. Lungfish: Ancient Air Breathers
Lungfish, which have remained virtually unchanged for over 380 million years, offer valuable insights into the evolutionary transition of vertebrates from water to land, as reported by Texas State University.
Modern lungfish retain the ability to survive long periods out of water by secreting a mucus cocoon and breathing air, just as their ancient ancestors did.
11. Coelacanths: Back from Extinction
Long believed to have gone extinct alongside dinosaurs, coelacanths were astonishingly rediscovered in 1938, as reported by BBC Future.
Coelacanths demonstrate how ancient lineages can survive virtually unchanged for millions of years.
12. Komodo Dragons: Modern Monsters
The largest living lizards show remarkable parallels with dinosaurs in their hunting strategies, metabolism, and social behaviors.
13. Cassowaries: Living Velociraptors
Among the most dinosaur-like of modern birds, cassowaries possess powerful legs and deadly claws reminiscent of their theropod ancestors.
14. Giant Salamanders: Prehistoric Amphibians
Massive amphibians have remained largely unchanged for millions of years and represent one of the oldest surviving tetrapod lineages.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
