The Closest Living Animals To Dinosaurs: Living Descendants From Prehistoric Times That Are Closely Related

Key Takeaways

• Birds, a dinosaur descendant, share nesting, egg-laying, and skeletal traits, while modern reptiles show differences.
• Dinosaurs’ closest living relatives are crocodiles, alligators, tuatara, lizards, birds, and turtles among others.
• Tuatara, a unique lineage survivor, was misclassified as a lizard for 150 years.
• Birds may have evolved from Saurischian dinosaurs, sharing features like light bones and feathers.
• Turtles, another close relative to dinosaurs, have survived them by over 100 million years.
• Dinosaurs, evolving from archosaurs during the Triassic Period, slowed adaptations during the Cretaceous period.

Although scientists consider birds to be the only dinosaur descendants still in existence, there are many other living animals that scientists believe are closer to dinosaurs. The Closest Living Things to Dinosaurs need to be taken a look at in terms of classification of species.

What Are The Closest Living Things to Dinosaurs?

So, what are the Closest Living Things To Dinosaurs? Crocodiles, along with alligators, tuatara, lizards, birds, and turtles are the closest. Birds, direct descendants of dinosaurs, share numerous similarities including nesting and egg-laying behaviors.

The lineage of dinosaurs has always fascinated me, especially considering that birds are their direct descendants. However, there are other animals, surprisingly closer to dinosaurs.

Today’s birds, including species like chickens, ostriches, raptors, emus, cassowaries, hawks (like the red-tailed hawk), eagles, penguins (like the emperor), and falcons, acknowledge their existence to the ancient rulers of the land, the dinosaurs.

Especially the chicken, which, as research suggests, may be the Closest Living Relative To Dinosaurs and to the Tyrannosaurus rex. Equally fascinating is the reptile realm, with creatures such as the American Alligator and the Nile Crocodile, alongside the Komodo Dragon, bearing reptilian traits that echo back to the dinosaurs. The intriguingly unique Tuatara, often classified as a ‘living fossil,’ shares a lineage with the dinosaur era, adding another dimension to this evolutionary connection.

Similarly, turtles and snakes, with their unique survival strategies and structures, draw lines back to their ancient dinosaur ancestors. Entailing these ties is the extinct Archaeopteryx, serving as a bridge between dinosaurs and birds with its mixed features of feathers, teeth, and a long, bony tail. These closest living relatives to dinosaurs provide an intriguing look into the intriguing dynamics of evolution, adaptation, and the richness of Earth’s biodiversity.

Now I’m going to dive deeper into the fascinating lineage of dinosaurs and cover what animals are related to dinosaurs. You’ll learn about the unique connections between these creatures and the characteristics that bind them together. We will explore various species and their intriguing features, adaptations, and ancient ancestry.

Stay with me as we journey back millions of years, uncovering secrets of our planet’s vibrant biological past – it promises to be a thrilling ride!

The Key Differences and Similarities from the Closest Living Relatives to Dinosaurs

Here’s a brief introduction to the comparison between dinosaurs and modern-day living organisms. We’ve put together a table that shows some common characteristics shared by dinosaurs, reptiles, and birds. These similarities offer fascinating insights into how these distinct groups of animals might be connected. Below, we dive into these shared characteristics, which include their bone structures, reproduction methods, and physical attributes.

	Dinosaurs	Reptiles	Birds
Nesting and Egg Laying	Dinosaurs, as vertebrate animals, built nests and laid eggs.	Just like dinosaurs, modern reptiles build nests and lay eggs. They are also vertebrates.	Birds, similar to dinosaurs and reptiles, build nests and lay eggs. They too are vertebrates.
Bone Structures	Dinosaurs possess dermal bone structures including plates on the skin, an endoskeleton, and scales known as osteoderms.	Reptiles share the same dermal bone structures with dinosaurs, including plates, an endoskeleton, and osteoderms.	Birds differ slightly, with scales on certain parts of their bodies but not known for having plates or endoskeleton.
Reproduction	Dinosaurs were oviparous, with their young hatching from eggs. They had internal fertilization.	Most reptiles are oviparous, with some species being ovoviviparous, where the eggs are incubated inside the body. They too have internal fertilization.	Birds are similar, being oviparous with internal fertilization.
Offspring	Dinosaur offspring are miniatures of the adults, without changes as they grow.	Reptiles’ offspring also do not change as they grow older.	Birds’ offspring remain unchanged as they mature as well.
Skin Type	Dinosaurs had dry, scaled skin.	Reptiles share the same dry, scaled skin.	Birds usually have feathers, but they do have scales on certain parts of their bodies like their feet.

Dinosaurs and modern-day living organisms have several differences that are fundamental and skeletal in nature. These differences span across various aspects including the structure of their legs, their movement capabilities, and various physical adaptations. The table below illustrates these differences in a detailed manner.

Feature	Dinosaurs	Modern Day Reptiles	Modern Day Birds Adaptation
Adaptation	Dinosaurs are believed to have existed during a period when the earth provided favorable conditions for such living organisms to thrive.	Most reptiles, like crocodiles and lizards, have legs that grow towards the side. Their thigh bones grow parallel to the ground, causing them to move from side to side.	Modern-day birds have numerous modifications to adapt themselves for flight. This includes hollow bones, fragile skulls, and a more compact body shape. The reptilian tail present in dinosaurs is abandoned and their pelvis is strengthened to handle the shock of landing.
Leg Structure	Dinosaurs can stand upright with their legs right below their bodies, thanks to a hole in their hip socket that permits this growth structure.	Their legs grow out towards the side.	Birds have legs suited for landing.
Movement Capabilities	This structure allows dinosaurs to run faster and with more endurance.	Reptiles usually move from side to side.	Birds can fly.

After going over some comparisons, to figure out the closest living things to dinosaurs, it is important to understand a bit about Archosaurs. Paleontology offers a prominent platform to Archosaurs, a group that encompasses Dinosaurs. This group suggests the origin of Birds as the closest living relatives to Dinosaurs. Under shared characteristics like socketed teeth and a skull hole preceding the eyes, Archosaurs include a genus of reptiles that was common during the Mesozoic era.

Throughout the Triassic period, an era marked by the emergence of the first dinosaurs, Archosaurs were dominant. Among them was Lagosuchus, a small bipedal creature that denotes a significant transition between reptiles and dinosaurs.

Paleontologists use various types of fossil evidence to connect the lineage of today’s Birds to ancient Dinosaurs. The discovery of feathered dinosaurs in the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods strengthens this connection further. The Mesozoic era witnessed a range of transformations in dinosaurs, some of which took the evolutionary leap into flight, evolving into the modern-day Birds.

Within the archosaur group and their transformative journey recorded throughout the Mesozoic era, the origin of birds finds its roots. Lagosuchus, a representative from the Triassic period, exemplifies a crucial evolutionary step from Reptiles to Dinosaurs. With layers of evolutionary history unraveled through Paleontology, Birds stand as our closest living link to the mighty Dinosaurs.

What Animal is Closest To A Dinosaur? Here’s 9 of Them

So what animal is closest to a dinosaur? Let’s get into it, listing out the closest living relatives to dinosaurs. It will have to start with reptiles. Reptiles are a classification of tetrapod animals that include lizards, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes. 

• Crocodiles
• Alligators
• Tuatara
• Lizards
• Birds
• Chickens
• Turtles
• Falcons
• Parrots

Let’s take a closer look at each one of these relatives.

Of this diverse family of modern animals, scientists believe that crocodiles hold the closest relations to the now-extinct dinosaurs. 

The table below lists out what is the closest animal to a dinosaur, the similarities and the classification or phylogeny that defines the family or species. More information about each of the closest ancestors to dinosaurs can be found below the table.

Table 1 - List of 9 Closest Living Animals to Dinosaurs

Animal Alive Today	Similar Traits to Dinosaurs	Classification
Crocodiles	Lays eggs, skull holes, osteoderms	Family - Crocodylidae
Alligators	Lays eggs, skull holes, legs to side of trunk	Family - Alligatoridae
Tuatara	Third eye, osteoderms, skull holes	Superorder - Lepidosauria
Lizards	Tail, lays eggs, osteoderms/ scales in some species	Suborder - Lacertilia
Birds	Lays eggs, nests, scales on feet	Class-Aves; Clade Theropoda
Chickens	Bipedal, hollow bones, lays eggs	Species - Gallus gallus domesticus
Turtles	Lays eggs, legs on side of body, scales on neck and legs	Order - Testudines
Falcons	Lays eggs, skull holes, scales on feet	Genus- Falco; Subfamily Falconidae
Parrots	Beak similar to parrot dinosaur, lays eggs, osterderms, scales on feet	Order- Psittaciformes
Animal Alive Today	Similar Traits to Dinosaurs	Classification

In fact, for more than twenty million years, the part of the globe that corresponds to modern-day South America was filled with two-legged dinosaurs, two-legged archosaurs, and two-legged crocodiles.

Modern taxonomy classifies all dinosaurs as reptiles because, among other things, they hatched from eggs, they existed in the Mesozoic Era – the age of reptiles.

Crocodiles

Crocodiles, being an integral component of the reptilian family, carry a prehistoric lineage that fascinatingly intersects with dinosaurs. Their species, part of the larger crocodilian family, trace their origins back to the Jurassic period as verified through comprehensive fossil records. The similarities that crocodiles share with their ancient relatives, the dinosaurs, are a testament to their survival skills and unique adaptations.

These survival skills, which were primarily derived from the process of natural selection, allow crocodiles to adapt to a diverse range of natural habitats. Aquatic life, forming a significant portion of crocodile habitats, symbolizes their close affinity to dinosaurs. Genetic studies, specifically focusing on crocodiles, reveal the role of biodiversity in securing their survival.

From a broader perspective, evolution plays a pivotal role in the survival of these ancient creatures. This survival narrative weaves through the era of Pangea, witnessing other species’ extinction while proliferating. Evolutionary biology, as an academic discipline, unravels the mysteries of their survival. Therefore, studying crocodile lineage, gets us closer to answering what is the closest animal to dinosaur, provides a window into prehistoric time and extinct species, reinforcing the power of evolution.

Crocodiles are large reptiles. Just like other archosaurs, crocodiles are diapsid (a group of tetrapods that have two holes on each side of the skull), even though they are reduced in size.

Crocodilians are closely related to dinosaurs and birds more than most modern-day organisms because the family classification has features that relate more closely to other species. Both dinosaurs and crocodiles are grouped under the class Archosauria, which means chief or ruler + lizard (from Latin and Greek). 

Alligators

According to recent research (Source), alligators can create the same kind of neural maps of sound in the same way birds do. The scientists attributed this characteristic to the fact that both organisms shared a common ancestor: the archosaur. This linkage helps to answer what’s the closest animal to a dinosaur.

Alligators, being part of the reptiles classification, uphold a significant genetic connection with dinosaurs, rendering them the closest living descendant to those prehistoric beings. Through the lens of paleontology, the analysis of fossils reveals the existence of Deinosuchus in the Mesozoic era, a known ancestor of modern alligators.

Physically, alligators bear traits synonymous with the Crocodilian family and their ancient counterparts. As cold-blooded animals, they forge key links in their ecosystems by employing a predator-prey relationship, thereby enhancing biodiversity. Their diverse habitats span from the American alligator’s everglades to the Chinese alligator’s freshwater settings, showcasing the adaptability that has facilitated their centuries-long survival.

The evolutionary journey of alligators stretches incredibly from the Mesozoic age through to the Paleogene period. Examining species like the American and Chinese alligators, along with their ancient relative Deinosuchus, offers tantalizing glimpses into this epic timeline. Hence, alligators, as living testimonials to the past, tremendously enrich our understanding of ancient ecosystems and the enduring adaptability of life on Earth.

Alligators are considered closely related to dinosaurs because they are part of the crocodile classification. They share similar characteristics to crocodiles but are less closely related than true crocodiles. Check out my article Are Alligators Related to Dinosaurs? (Classification, Similarities) to read in detail what scientists find that links alligators to dinosaurs and why they are so closely related.

Tuatara

The tuatara was recognized to have its own classification (and not as a lizard) in 2017, about 150 years since it was first classified as a lizard. Its classification qualifies it as one of the closest living relatives to dinosaurs alive today.

The tuatara, native to New Zealand, represents the closest living ties to the era of dinosaurs. Born of an evolutionary line rooting back to the Jurassic period, these rare reptiles, scientifically termed as Sphenodon punctatus and Sphenodon guntheri, prove an exception to their cold-blooded kin, being naturally comfortable in colder climates.

Embraced by Maori culture, these unique creatures now reside mostly on island sanctuaries, safeguarded from predatory threats like rats. These sanctuaries arose out of necessity, their original habitat, the ancient continent of Zealandia, now predominantly underwater. Despite their primary insect-eating habits, tuataras add variety by occasionally consuming amphibians and the Giant Weta.

Renowned not only as predators, they also serve as agents of natural regeneration, aiding in the growth of flora by disseminating seeds via their droppings. Mirroring their dinosaur cousins, today’s tuataras confront possible extinction due to pests and habitat reduction. Nonetheless, these evolutionary success stories continue to yield crucial insights into the Earth’s prehistoric past and underscore the ecosystem’s ever-present resilence faced with environmental changes.

Preserving this living fossil/tool of evolution eventually turns into our responsibility, as its survival untangles intricate tales of our planet’s history and forecasts plausible trajectories for its future — a fascinating look into an enduring past and a resilient future.

The tuatara grows slowly, and they reproduce slowly. Tuataras live almost exclusively in New Zealand. Like lizards, they have the third eye at birth on the top of its head, but after 4-6 months, it is covered in scales and coloring, which makes it invisible unless you know where to look for it.

The tuatara is a reptile that can decapitate birds given its saw-like jaws. The animal lives to one hundred years old, and it can also remain alive in near-freezing environments. 

It is also the only remaining survivor of an ancient lineage of the first dinosaurs. 

Lizards

There is so much to say about lizards. There are multiple classifications, families, and suborders. 

Lizards, residing in the reptile family, share a convoluted evolutionary history with dinosaurs. The thread of biological classification interlinks them, while their remnants pervade areas of natural history and paleontology. The legion of lizard species provides clues into evolution, adaptation, and survival mechanisms, with fossils serving as silent custodians of that past.

Although not Jurassic inhabitants, Komodo Dragons serve as living proof of the prolonged evolutionary journey of reptiles. Meanwhile, the endemic lizard species of the Galapagos Islands portray the manifestation of Charles Darwin’s beliefs surrounding evolution and natural selection.

Unraveling their survival mechanisms proves intriguing. Here, lizards demonstrate striking similarities with their prehistoric counterparts, most notably their cold-blooded physiologies, tying them back to the Paleozoic Era.

Understanding these creatures is pivotal to sustaining biodiversity. The potential extinction of any species, lizards included, risks the equilibrium of our eco-systems, recalling the aftermath of the dinosaur era. Lizards, functioning as environmental indicators, reflect the health of habitats around the globe.

Consequently, preserving and studying these modern-day dinosaurs not only helps conserve biodiversity but also furnishes critical insights into the history of our planet.

Lizards are considered to be closely related to dinosaurs for many more things than just looks! With thousands of species in its classifications and families, a suggestion is to consider the similarities and differences between dinosaurs and lizards in the classification features.

The unique features of lizards, according to Wikipedia, “lizards make use of a variety of antipredator adaptations, including venom, camouflage, reflex bleeding, and the ability to sacrifice and regrow their tails.”

Birds

Birds, being a part of the diverse avian species, claim their lineage from theropod dinosaurs, making them the closest living relatives to the mighty ancient dinosaurs. Paleontology, a field that deciphers life’s historical tapestry, validates this connection through an in-depth study of fossils and epochs from the prehistoric times such as Jurassic and Cretaceous periods

Intriguingly, the discovery of Archaeopteryx from the late Jurassic period, provided first substantial proof of the dinosaur-bird relationship. This intermediate creature between birds and dinosaurs showcased traits common to both groups.

Comparative anatomy furthers this relationship by analyzing anatomic structures of living birds and extinct dinosaurs. The study reveals similarities in vertebrate structures, as scrutinized under vertebrate paleontology. Moreover, dinosaur nests echo present-day bird nests, indicating shared nesting behaviors.

Fossil records, providing snapshots of evolution, trace the remarkable journey from feathered dinosaurs of the Mesozoic era to today’s birds. Contrary to popular belief, not all dinosaurs faced extinction, some theropods survived the wave of annihilation and evolved into a range of avian species.

Consequently, modern birds carry on the legacy of their ancient ancestors and serve as living chronicles of the dinosaur era.

Chickens

Belonging to the poultry group, chickens serve as an intriguing link to a captivating period of earth’s history – the Jurassic era, once ruled by massive creatures known as dinosaurs. The scientific discipline of paleontology, a branch dedicated to the study of ancient life by examining preserved remains, has uncovered a compelling connection between these seemingly disparate species.

This connection primarily stems from the fossils of Archaeopteryx, recognized as a key piece of evidence in this surprising relationship.

Fascinatingly, shared physical attributes like feathers, claws, and beaks, found in both modern birds and ancient dinosaurs, suggest a common lineage, thus knitting together a tale of evolutionary continuity that survives till this day.

Ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of this connection requires delving deeper than merely observing external traits. The field of genetics steps in at this juncture, analyzing the DNA of these creatures to trace a genealogical lineage.

This interplay of biological information makes it possible to follow the journey back from modern avian species to the iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex, a representative of dinosaur species.

This unique merging of genetics, paleontology, and evolutionary biology through our humble backyard creature – the chicken, serves as a testament to the unending narrative of evolution. It provides a glimpse of our natural world, from the dinosaur-dominated Jurassic era to the present day, weaving together an intriguing story of continued existence against the vast curtain of time.

Turtles

Turtles, these distinct reptiles, trace their ancestry back to the remarkable Mesozoic era, intertwining their existence with the dinosaurs. It’s interesting that even though crocodiles are easily thought of as what is the closest thing to a dinosaur, turtles are not far behind in that thinking. Their robust shells set them apart from other cold-blooded vertebrates, affirming their long evolutionary journey.

The turtle genus paints a wide spectrum, from the terrestrial tortoises like the Galapagos to the aquatic dwellers such as the Leatherback and Green Sea turtles. Freshwater terrapins, including the Loggerhead and Kemp’s Ridley turtles, showcase blended terrestrial and aquatic traits. Together, these species significantly enrich Earth’s biodiversity fabric.

Despite their resilience, modern challenges cast a shadow over their survival. Pollution, climate change, and habitat loss are pushing many towards endangerment. The field of paleontology, aided by fossils, reveals their fascinating journey from the Jurassic period to present times. As amphibians’ cousins and dinosaurs’ descendants, turtles emerge as a vibrant link between today’s biodiversity and prehistoric times.

The scientists, therefore, placed turtles underclass ‘Archelosauria.’ This group consists of the animal’s closest relatives, like dinosaurs, crocodiles, and birds. If you want to read more about how turtles are related to dinosaurs, check out my article Are Turtles Related to Dinosaurs? Ancient Turtles Reveal the Answer where I go into detail about these amazing shelled animals that lived with dinosaurs.

Falcons

Fossils, the time capsules of the past, shine a light on the complex evolutionary puzzle that connects the present-day falcons – a species of raptors, with the prehistoric dinosaurs who thrived in the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic Era.

The study of evolution, deeply rooted in genetics, indicates a shared history between falcons and dinosaurs. Advanced techniques like DNA sequencing further reveal the underlying genomic ties between the two, supporting the theory that birds are the living descendants of dinosaurs.

The intriguing Archaeopteryx holds a significant place in paleontology and evolutionary biology. As a feathered dinosaur, it forms a key link between the dinosaur era and modern bird species, reflecting the origin and evolution of flight capabilities in avian creatures.

The Archaeopteryx, the most famous fossil bird, looked similar to modern-day falcons. 

The Archaeopteryx might have existed 150 million years ago, and it indicated clear examples of transitional dinosaur species. The species displayed featured found in both dinosaurs and birds. While there are no “flying dinosaurs”, but instead, should be stated as “flying reptiles”, Pterosaurs lived during the majority of the Mesozoic Era periods.

Comparative Anatomy offers insights into the structural similarities between today’s falcons and their prehistoric counterparts. Meanwhile, Paleobiology provides further context, exploring the biology of extinct species and their relationships with the environment.

Despite the extinction event that wiped away dinosaurs, falcons remain, embodying traits that echo a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. They stand as living testaments to their formidable ancestors, symbolic of life’s resilience in the face of change.

If you are interested to learn more about similar birds of prey and how they are related to Pterosaurs, check out my article How Are Pterodactyls Similar To Eagles? What We Know About Them. It covers similarities, differences and dives into the classification and phylogeny of the Pterosaurs and eagles.

Falcons are considered related to dinosaurs due to classifications and family groupings of the Archaeopteryx.

Amphibians

Amphibians, according to robust scientific evidence, bear strong evolutionary connections to dinosaurs. Biology offers meaningful insights into this relationship, supported by the study of fossils. Palaeontology takes this a step further, highlighting the links across various species, including reptiles that share genetic codes and environmental adaptations with amphibians and dinosaurs.

World history, starting from the prehistoric era, shows how environmental variations and habitat suitability directed natural selection, eventually shaping species evolution. The ecosystem, in its broadest sense, is a delicate balance of flora and fauna that began evolving since the Carboniferous Period, a time when amphibian and reptile ancestors first inhabited land.

Biodiversity, as a concept, encompasses the life history of Earth, tracing from extinct creatures to current thriving organisms.

The instances of extinction events, and in contrast, the survival of species, provide another layer of understanding to this biological narrative. Let’s not forget the role of taxonomy; it offers an organized way of categorizing species, helping us understand the lineage and evolutionary journey of many organisms, our primary subjects being dinosaurs and amphibians.

Further back in time, the historical epochs such as Mesozoic Era come up on stage. This era, further divided into Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, showcases the evolution from early amphibian-like organisms to the colossal dinosaurs.

Shining light on these connections, Charles Darwin’s theories explain the seemingly independent relationships and synergies between various species, elucidating how amphibians, an apparent underdog, can share such a close bond to the extinct dinosaur lineage.

Temnospondyls were a diverse group of early amphibians. Some researchers believe certain members of this group evolved into modern amphibians due to their shared anatomical features.

Similarly, anthracosaurs were reptile-like amphibians, and their characteristics suggest they might also have been part of the evolutionary lineage leading to reptiles, including dinosaurs. Both these groups thrived around the Carboniferous Period, the same time dinosaurs appeared on the scene, which enhances their significance in our understanding of the dinosaur-amphibian connection.

Living Dinosaurs Today – Diving Deeper Into the Background on Dinosaurs and Dinosaur Relatives

Dinosaurs did not spring into existence until about two hundred million years ago. Just like other living things, they gradually and slowly evolved from previously existing organisms: the archosaurs. 

It was by following the rules brought forth by Charles Darwin regarding the natural selection and adaptation processes in living things. In looking for the closest relative to dinosaurs, we can follow Darwin’s processes too.

According to history, archosaurs were not very different from dinosaurs. However, they were much smaller than their descendants: the dinosaurs. 

Moreover, they had particular features that seemed to set them apart from dinosaurs. Most notably, the archosaurs did not have a locked-in posture for their hind and front limbs. 

Scientists might have identified a single archosaurs genus from which dinosaurs might have evolved: the Lagosuchus. Lagosuchus is Greek for rabbit crocodile. Such naming implies a quick and tiny reptile that might have scampered across forests in Triassic South America. Sometimes, the genus also goes by the name Marasuchus. 

Dinosaur Evolution During the Early Triassic Period

Interestingly, the archosaurs during the late and middle Triassic period did not evolve into dinosaurs alone. Isolated populations of these reptiles might have spawned the first crocodiles and pterosaurs as well. 

In fact, for more than twenty million years, the part of the globe that corresponds to modern-day South America was filled with two-legged dinosaurs, two-legged archosaurs, and two-legged crocodiles. 

Moreover, scientists often have a problem distinguishing between the fossil discoveries of these three separate families of animals. Paleontologists are not sure whether the archosaurs coexisted with therapsids – the mammal-like reptiles that existed during the late Permian period. 

Additionally, they remain unsure of whether the archosaurs survived after the Triassic Extinction Event that occurred two hundred million years ago. However, what remains clear is that dinosaurs might have gained the upper hand by the time the Jurassic period started. 

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Related Dinosaur Articles You Might Also Be Interested In:
The Most Terrifying Dinosaurs – A List of 13 (with Scenarios!)
How Much Would A Real Dinosaur Egg Be Worth
Flying Dinosaur Types- Ultimate Guide To Pterodactyls, Pterosaurs
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Why Birds Look More like Dinosaurs than Some Reptilian Species – Early Birds And Prehistoric Animals Today Are Closely Related 

One might suggest that birds are the closest relative to dinosaurs. Some scientists even argue that dinosaurs might have had feathers, they might have hatched from eggs, and they might have been warm-blooded. 

Conclusion

It’s not always straightforward to determine whether one species is related to another, as we can see from the dinosaurs. And, looks can be deceiving! 

Thanks to modern taxonomy and scientific classification, we can get closer to our understanding of which species are the closest living things to dinosaurs, and I’ve tried to cover that in this article.

Now, does a tuatara measure up as a close relative to a T-Rex or a Spinosaurus? If we are judging by looks, it has my vote! 

Frequently Asked Questions