What Dinosaur Am I?

Take this quiz to see which dino matches your personality!

If you lived on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago, what sort of dino would you be? Would you hunt through the ancient forests like a Velociraptor? Soar the skies like a Pterodactyl?

We’re here to help you find out! Answer these totally Triassic personality questions, and we’ll sort through the fossil records to show you your ancient match. Get ready to go back in time!

There are shadows of three dinos over yellow grass.

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Questions Overview

1. Pick a fancy meal to get at a 5-star restaurant:
  1. A big juicy steak. Hold the salad, thanks!
  2. Something unusual, like snails or fried bugs.
  3. A lush green salad with lots of fruit and dressing.
  4. I'm taking a tour through the buffet and grabbing a little of everything!
2. What's your favorite activity to do at the park?
  1. Team sports! Let's work together for the win.
  2. I like to wander around and explore by myself.
  3. I love to fly kites and watch them dive through the air.
  4. I like to climb trees, the playground, or rocks to get a better view.
3. Choose your favorite dino movie:
  1. Jurassic Park
  2. The Land Before Time
  3. The Good Dinosaur
  4. I haven't seen any of these!
4. Which of these would you want to have as a pet?
  1. A tortoise or a chameleon
  2. A parrot or a finch
  3. A cat or dog
  4. A tank full of colorful fish
5. Would you rather have brains or brawn?
  1. Brains. I'm a thinker and a problem-solver.
  2. Brawn. I want to be big and strong.
  3. A little of both. Life is all about balance.
  4. Neither. Thinking is hard, and so is building muscles.
6. What kind of superhero would you be?
  1. Someone with powerful attacks who does most of the fighting.
  2. Someone with strong defenses who keeps people safe.
  3. Someone who's super smart, and makes the plan.
  4. I'd be the villain! They have the most fun.
7. Be honest: Do you think you could survive on a planet filled with dinosaurs?
  1. Absolutely. I've got what it takes to survive.
  2. Probably. But I'd need some sort of advantage, like a weapon.
  3. Probably not. Unless I'm with a big group of people.
  4. Definitely not. I'm not cut out for that sort of life.
8. If you could be any of these animals, which would you pick?
  1. A rhinoceros
  2. A wolf
  3. A shark
  4. An eagle
9. How would other dinos describe you if you lived on ancient Earth?
  1. Scary
  2. Friendly
  3. Mysterious
  4. Smart
10. How are you getting around on ancient planet Earth?
  1. I'm stomping around on land. Slow and steady.
  2. I'm scampering around on land. Quick and agile.
  3. I'm swimming through the water like a missile.
  4. I'm flying in the air like a bird.
11. Choose a dangerous body part to have:
  1. Sharp teeth and strong jaws to gnash anything I see.
  2. A spiked tail or horns to ram into danger.
  3. Long claws that are super shark.
  4. No weapons for me. I prefer thick skin or quick speed to get away from a fight.

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What it means for you:<\/b> You're a leader, a top dog, and someone who commands respect. You prefer to brute-force your way through problems, but sometimes your weaknesses get the best of you.

T-Rex size:<\/b> 13+ m (43 ft) long
Weight:<\/b> 8+ tons
Diet:<\/b> Carnivore","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw Dinosaurs","id":171250,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg","alt":"How to Draw Dinosaurs"},{"title":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake","id":3078740,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You're a Stegosaurus!","meaning":"Stegosauruses were the walking tanks of the Late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago. With an armor-plated spine and a deadly, spiked tail, you'd think twice before you picked a fight with these massive units. Though they seem built for battle, Stegosauruses were actually herbivores, feeding on plants while dodging predators... Or swinging their tails at them.

What it means for you:<\/b> You like to spend your days relaxing, but you're also the person your friends go to when they need someone to settle an argument or break up a fight. You're a peacekeeper, and you're not afraid to stand up to stronger foes.

Stegosaurus size: <\/b>Up to 7.5 m (24 ft) long
Weight:<\/b> 5+ tons
Diet:<\/b> Herbivore","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw Dinosaurs","id":171250,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg","alt":"How to Draw Dinosaurs"},{"title":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake","id":3078740,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You're a Velociraptor!","meaning":"Velociraptors prowled what's now parts of Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, about 75 million years ago. They were smaller hunters, but what they lacked in size, they made up for in numbers, often roving in groups as they looked for larger dinos to bring down. To do this, they used their large, sharp claws on their front limbs while zipping along on their hind legs. Ferocious, fearsome, and did we mention that they probably had feathers? Fabulous.

What it means for you:<\/b> You're a social person who likes to hang out in groups. You're at your best when you can strut around with friends, but you don't do so hot all alone. Stay with your pack!<\/b>

Velociraptor size:<\/b> Up to 2 m (6.5 ft) long
Weight:<\/b> 14-20 kg (30-44 lbs)
Diet:<\/b> Carnivore","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw Dinosaurs","id":171250,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg","alt":"How to Draw Dinosaurs"},{"title":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake","id":3078740,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You're a Triceratops!","meaning":"It'd be hard to miss these massive, armored dinos when they roamed what's not North America about 68 million years ago. With sturdy bodies like that of an elephant or hippo, and a large plated skull that featured their signature triple horns, these tanks were the long-ago ancestors of the rhinoceros. They likely used those horns to establish dominance and fend off predators while protecting their young and munching on tasty grasses. You might say they were gentle giants. Just don't get on their bad side.

What it means for you:<\/b> You're a practical thinker who prefers peaceful solutions, but you're not afraid to swing your weight around if other people start causing trouble. You're a loyal friend, and you'll defend your family until the last moment.

Triceratops size:<\/b> 8-9 m (26-29 ft) long
Weight:<\/b> 6-10 tons
Diet:<\/b> Herbivore","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw Dinosaurs","id":171250,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg","alt":"How to Draw Dinosaurs"},{"title":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake","id":3078740,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You're a Brachiosaurus!","meaning":"These goliaths wandered what's not North America about 150 million years ago. With their long, giraffe-like necks, they reached up into the tallest trees to munch on tasty leaves. They had small skulls with tiny brains, but who needs to think when there's green stuff to grind between your teeth? Their large tails were mostly used to counterbalance those huge necks, but might've also fended off predators. These gentle giants were the chillest chompers in the Late Jurassic.

What it means for you:<\/b> You're a total chiller, and your vibes are immaculate. Even fierce predators have trouble toppling you, because you're too busy admiring the sky and doing your own thing to lower yourself to their level.

Brachiosaurus size:<\/b> 18-22 m (59-72 ft) long
Weight:<\/b> Up to about 50 tons
Diet:<\/b> Herbivore","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw Dinosaurs","id":171250,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg","alt":"How to Draw Dinosaurs"},{"title":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake","id":3078740,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You're a Pterodactyl!","meaning":"Pterodactyls ruled the skies about 150 million years ago, in what are now parts of Europe and Africa. They were one of the first reptilian dinosaurs ever discovered, and one of the earliest flying dinosaurs discovered. Like ancient eagles, they soared high above, looking down for small critters to dive down on and snag with their strong bite and sharp teeth. Fearsome and free, you wouldn't want to get caught under a Pterodactyl's shadow.

What it means for you:<\/b> You're something of a loner who soars above it all, and that's exactly where you like to be. Your problems can't catch you when you're high in the sky, but everyone's gotta land sometimes, even if it's just to catch a bite.

Pterodactyl size:<\/b> 1 m (3 ft) wingspan
Weight:<\/b> 1-4.5 kg (2-10 lbs)
Diet:<\/b> Carnivore","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw Dinosaurs","id":171250,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg","alt":"How to Draw Dinosaurs"},{"title":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake","id":3078740,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You're a Plesiosaur!","meaning":"The Plesiosaur was one of the first reptilian dinosaur fossils ever discovered. These large aquatic dinos swam in oceans all across the globe about 230 million years ago. With their large flippers, they jetted through the water much the same way seals do, probably hunting fish and using their long necks to surprise schools of fish and snap them up before they could dart away, making them an apex predator in whatever waters they found themselves in.

What it means for you:<\/b> You're a sneaky, crafty kind of person who prefers to swim through life mostly alone, looking for your next interest or opportunity, which you never let pass you by.

Plesiosaur size:<\/b> 1.5-15 m (3-33 ft) long
Weight:<\/b> 0.5 tons
Diet:<\/b> Carnivore","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw Dinosaurs","id":171250,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg","alt":"How to Draw Dinosaurs"},{"title":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake","id":3078740,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You're an Archaeopteryx!","meaning":"The Archaeopteryx is the oldest known species of bird, and the ancestor of most (if not all) of our feathered friends alive today. It lived in what's now Europe about 150 million years ago, and enjoyed a warm tropical sea, where they sunned their feathers while looking for smaller prey to snatch up with their clawed fingers and chow down on with their sharp teeth. They couldn't fly long, but preferred to flap their wings in short bursts to stay mobile. Some scientists compare them to ravens or magpies, suggesting clever smarts and keen senses that may have made them quite the tricksters.

What it means for you:<\/b> You're a playful prankster, flitting about and causing trouble. You prefer to have fun and dodge your responsibilities, but they always seem to catch up to you.

Archaeopteryx size:<\/b> 0.5 m (1.6 ft) long
Weight:<\/b> 0.8-1 kg (1.8-2.2 lbs)
Diet:<\/b> Carnivore, insect-eater","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Draw Dinosaurs","id":171250,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Draw-Dinosaurs","image":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Draw-Dinosaurs-Step-36.jpg","alt":"How to Draw Dinosaurs"},{"title":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake","id":3078740,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2a\/Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-a-Dinosaur-Cake-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Make a Dinosaur Cake"}],"minimum":0}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Bird<\/picture>","alt":"What Bird Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What Fruit Am I Quiz","id":14363353,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Fruit-Am-I","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Fruit Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What Dog Breed Am I Quiz","id":13714885,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Dog-Breed-Am-I","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Dog Breed Am I Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"Scales","result":"Fabulous! Then we think you'll love these quizzes:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"What Animal Am I Quiz","id":14254121,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Animal-Am-I","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Animal Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What Mythical Creature Am I Quiz","id":13965978,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Mythical-Creature-Am-I","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Mythical Creature Am I Quiz"},{"title":"Soldier Poet King Quiz","id":13790255,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Soldier-Poet-King-Quiz","image":"\"Soldier<\/picture>","alt":"Soldier Poet King Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

What Is a Dinosaur, Exactly?

Dinosaurs! Everybody loves ‘em, those ferocious, freaky, funky critters that roamed the Earth hundreds of millions of years before us. We’ve written books, filmed movies, and even made music about them. They’re just neat!

But what is a dinosaur, exactly? It’s not just any animal that lived in the distant past. Specifically, dinosaurs are ancient reptiles . But technically not every ancient reptile was a dinosaur (and if we’re being totally honest, not every reptile on this quiz was a dinosaur, either). If we’re being accurate, here are some criteria an ancient lizard has to have in order to be a true dino:

  • Upright stance
  • Lays eggs
  • Lives on land
  • A hole in their skull between their eye sockets and nostrils
  • 2 holes in their skull behind their eye sockets

Of course, there are exceptions! Some dinos had extra features, while some were missing some of these features. Science is funny that way. Mostly, scientists just do their best to observe and classify things, but not everything plays by the rules.

Here are some more dinosaur facts to sink your teeth into:

  • Dinosaurs were on Earth as early as 245 million years ago!
  • Some dinosaurs are still around! Well, sorta. Many scientists consider birds a type of dinosaur, even though they’re pretty different from their ancestors.
  • Scientists use fossils, or buried bones, to research and discover new things about dinosaurs.
  • Most fossils are actually mineral deposits that formed where a bone used to be, meaning most fossils aren’t actually bones.
  • Some fossils are things like claw marks, petrified dung, footprints, or even insects preserved in amber.
  • Recent discoveries tell us that many non-avian (meaning non-bird) dinosaurs also had feathers.
  • You probably know about the great-asteroid theory about why dinosaurs went extinct, but there were actually many different extinctions, and scientists are still hypothesizing their causes.


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