What does it mean that dinosaurs ruled the earth?

[jsfarney]

What does it mean that dinosaurs ruled the earth?

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Post by jsfarney » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:43 pm

I have heard people say that dinosaurs ruled the earth and then when they were extinct mammals ruled the earth. What does this mean? Does it mean that they took up the most space or that they had the greatest numbers? Do mammals really rule the earth because there are way more insects than mammals? Just wondering, Thanks for the help!!

[canalon]

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Post by canalon » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:33 pm

Well if you want to be truly accurate, bacteria were the first to rule the earth, and as far as I know, they have yet to be replaced as our fearless and relentless leaders. But people in general tend to ignore what they cannot see and seem to believe that the big things that they see everywhere are dominant. If they are terrifying or warm and cuddly, or us, then it is even more satisfying to pretend that they rule the earth.

That is simply put nonsensical emphasis.

[robsabba]

Re: What does it mean that dinosaurs ruled the earth?

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Post by robsabba » Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:07 pm

I have heard people say that dinosaurs ruled the earth and then when they were extinct mammals ruled the earth. What does this mean? Does it mean that they took up the most space or that they had the greatest numbers? Do mammals really rule the earth because there are way more insects than mammals? Just wondering, Thanks for the help!!

Canalon is basically correct. What the term means is that the dinosaurs were the dominant large, terrestrial animals on the earth during their heyday. Yes, that means they filled most of the ecological niches that are specific to large terrestrial animals. Now, they are mostly filled by mammals.

[Rap]

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Post by Rap » Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:48 am

Also, predatory dinosaurs were at the top of the food chain.

[skeptic]

Re: What does it mean that dinosaurs ruled the earth?

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Post by skeptic » Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:13 am

"Dinosaurs ruled the Earth" is absolutely and totally meaningless in any scientific sense. It is simply a catch phrase invented by the popular media to sell books and magazines.

[kathreeds]

Re: What does it mean that dinosaurs ruled the earth?

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Post by kathreeds » Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:59 am

"Dinosaurs ruled the Earth" is absolutely and totally meaningless in any scientific sense. It is simply a catch phrase invented by the popular media to sell books and magazines.

Agreed to the point above,

It can be said that they were huge creatures of time but not Ruling the earth is meaningless