Top Dinosaur Relatives Still Roaming Earth Today
Among birds, chickens are particularly fascinating as they are close relatives of theropod dinosaurs. Genetic studies have indicated surprising similarities in DNA, suggesting that if you want to envisage a living dinosaur
Crocodilians, a group that includes crocodiles, alligators, and gharials, are among the closest living relatives to dinosaurs. These formidable reptiles have hardly changed since the Mesozoic Era, making them living fossils.
Lizards and snakes belong to the order Squamata, which, while not directly related to dinosaurs, share a more distant ancestor within the reptilian family tree.
Turtles, with their unique shells and slow-paced lifestyles, represent another distant link to the ancient past. Though they are not directly descended from dinosaurs, turtles share a common ancestor with them and have existed for over 200 million years
Sharks have prowled the Earth’s oceans for around 400 million years, having survived several mass extinctions that wiped out many contemporaneous species, including dinosaurs.
Tuataras are not lizards but belong to a distinct lineage of reptiles called Rhynchocephalia. These reptiles have remained largely unchanged for over 200 million years, earning them the title of “living fossils.”
Ostriches are one of the largest living birds and share a lineage that connects back to dinosaurs. Their flightless nature, robust legs for running, and substantial size draw parallels with some of their ancient land-dwelling relatives