Types of Dinosaurs

There were many different types of dinosaurs, ranging from giant long-necked plant-eaters to fast-running predators with sharp teeth and claws. Some walked on two legs, others on four, and many had distinctive features such as horns, plates, crests, armour, feathers, or massive tails.

This guide gives a broader overview of major dinosaur groups, with a more comprehensive list of well-known dinosaur names and simple explanations of how they differed.

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Main Types of Dinosaurs

1. Theropods

Theropods were mostly two-legged dinosaurs. Many were meat-eaters, although some later forms were omnivores or had more varied diets. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs.

• Tyrannosaurus rex
• Velociraptor
• Allosaurus
• Spinosaurus
• Giganotosaurus
• Carnotaurus
• Albertosaurus
• Compsognathus
• Coelophysis
• Troodon
• Deinonychus
• Dilophosaurus

2. Sauropods

Sauropods were long-necked, long-tailed plant-eaters that usually walked on four legs. They included some of the largest land animals ever to exist.

• Brachiosaurus
• Diplodocus
• Apatosaurus
• Brontosaurus
• Argentinosaurus
• Patagotitan
• Saltasaurus
• Camarasaurus
• Mamenchisaurus
• Supersaurus

3. Ceratopsians

Ceratopsians were horned plant-eaters with strong beaks and often large frills at the back of the skull.

• Triceratops
• Styracosaurus
• Pentaceratops
• Centrosaurus
• Protoceratops
• Psittacosaurus
• Torosaurus
• Pachyrhinosaurus

4. Stegosaurs

Stegosaurs were plant-eating dinosaurs known for plates or spikes along their backs and tails.

• Stegosaurus
• Kentrosaurus
• Huayangosaurus
• Tuojiangosaurus

5. Ankylosaurs

Ankylosaurs were heavily armoured dinosaurs with low bodies, bony plates, and often club-like tails.

• Ankylosaurus
• Euoplocephalus
• Pinacosaurus
• Saichania
• Nodosaurus

6. Ornithopods

Ornithopods were mainly plant-eating dinosaurs that ranged from smaller runners to larger herd-living species. Many had advanced chewing adaptations.

• Iguanodon
• Parasaurolophus
• Edmontosaurus
• Corythosaurus
• Lambeosaurus
• Maiasaura
• Hadrosaurus
• Ouranosaurus

7. Pachycephalosaurs

Pachycephalosaurs were mostly smaller plant-eating or omnivorous dinosaurs known for their thickened skull domes.

• Pachycephalosaurus
• Stegoceras
• Dracorex
• Stygimoloch

Dinosaur Types by Diet

Meat-Eating Dinosaurs

• Tyrannosaurus rex
• Velociraptor
• Allosaurus
• Spinosaurus
• Giganotosaurus
• Carnotaurus
• Dilophosaurus

Plant-Eating Dinosaurs

• Triceratops
• Stegosaurus
• Brachiosaurus
• Diplodocus
• Ankylosaurus
• Iguanodon
• Parasaurolophus
• Edmontosaurus

Dinosaur Types by Body Style

Long-Necked Dinosaurs

• Brachiosaurus
• Diplodocus
• Apatosaurus
• Mamenchisaurus
• Argentinosaurus

Horned Dinosaurs

• Triceratops
• Styracosaurus
• Centrosaurus
• Pentaceratops

Armoured Dinosaurs

• Ankylosaurus
• Euoplocephalus
• Nodosaurus

Plated Dinosaurs

• Stegosaurus
• Kentrosaurus

Duck-Billed Dinosaurs

• Edmontosaurus
• Parasaurolophus
• Corythosaurus
• Lambeosaurus
• Hadrosaurus

Popular Dinosaur Names A–Z (Selected List)

Here is a wider sample of well-known dinosaur names:

• Allosaurus
• Ankylosaurus
• Apatosaurus
• Argentinosaurus
• Brachiosaurus
• Brontosaurus
• Camarasaurus
• Carnotaurus
• Centrosaurus
• Coelophysis
• Compsognathus
• Corythosaurus
• Deinonychus
• Diplodocus
• Edmontosaurus
• Euoplocephalus
• Giganotosaurus
• Hadrosaurus
• Iguanodon
• Kentrosaurus
• Lambeosaurus
• Maiasaura
• Mamenchisaurus
• Nodosaurus
• Pachycephalosaurus
• Parasaurolophus
• Patagotitan
• Pentaceratops
• Pinacosaurus
• Protoceratops
• Psittacosaurus
• Saltasaurus
• Spinosaurus
• Stegosaurus
• Styracosaurus
• Torosaurus
• Triceratops
• Troodon
• Tyrannosaurus rex
• Velociraptor

Were Flying and Marine Reptiles Dinosaurs?

Not all prehistoric reptiles were dinosaurs.

• Pterosaurs were flying reptiles, but not dinosaurs
• Plesiosaurs were marine reptiles, but not dinosaurs
• Mosasaurs were marine reptiles, but not dinosaurs

They lived during the age of dinosaurs, but belonged to different reptile groups.

Why Were There So Many Types of Dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs lived for more than 160 million years and spread across many different environments. Over time they evolved into a huge variety of forms adapted for hunting, grazing, defence, speed, herd living, and survival in different climates and ecosystems.

Trusted Dinosaur Learning Resources

• Natural History Museum – Dinosaurs
• American Museum of Natural History – Dinosaurs
• Smithsonian Institution – Dinosaur Fossils
• National Geographic Kids – Dinosaurs
• Paleobiology Database

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Why Use Trusted Dinosaur Sources

Dinosaur classification and fossil interpretation continue to change as new discoveries are made. Museums, scientific databases, and recognised educational organisations provide the most reliable information on dinosaur species, anatomy, behaviour, and prehistoric ecosystems.

⚠️ Disclaimer

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No guarantees are made regarding completeness, accuracy, or current scientific interpretation, as paleontology research evolves over time. This page does not create, host, verify, or endorse external scientific content and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any museum, publisher, database, or research organisation referenced.

For detailed scientific study, always consult original museum publications, paleontology databases, academic sources, or qualified experts.

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