The Last Dinosaurs

Triceratops is estimated to be non-avian dinosaurs last on Earth. This conclusion was drawn after the appointed scientists study fossils from the Hell Creek Formation, Montana, United States. This is the youngest Triceratops dinosaur ever discovered.

Triceratops findings are very close to the catastrophic meteor 65 million years ago is also likely to refute the theory that dinosaur extinction took place gradually. "Our study actually showed that extinction caused by meteor impact," said study leader Tyler Lyson told Discovery News.

Meteor impact in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, it destroyed most of the dinosaurs, especially dinosaurs that can not fly. By studying the geological layers in the area, Lyson and his team discovered that the dinosaurs suddenly disappeared after a major disaster.



Meanwhile, the theory of gradual extinction of dinosaurs based on the gaps as thick as 3 feet in the geological zone where dinosaur fossils found before the disaster. Triceratops was found in Hell Creek is above the zone of 3 meters.

"This shows there is one species, or even more, which is still alive when a disaster occurs," said one researcher.

According to Stephen Chester, one of the researchers who are also involved in the study, the location of important discoveries. "In addition to dinosaurs, we also found a diversity of small mammals was first documented after disasters. Mammals undergo adaptation and began to fill the empty lands," said the researchers.

Until now, scientists have not been able to find a good reason to explain how mammals, turtles, and some other animals can survive the meteor disaster.