Birds survived asteroid that killed other dinosaurs, expert says
7 reported
A palaeontologist has stated that birds are the only group of dinosaurs to survive the asteroid strike that occurred 66 million years ago. Professor Steve Brusatte of the University of Edinburgh has written a new book titled “The Story of Birds” that traces the evolution of birds from their dinosaur origins. He discussed with a science correspondent how scales first became feathers and how winged dinosaurs survived the asteroid impact. Brusatte also suggested that the extreme adaptability of birds offers hope they might survive the current environmental crisis.
What’s reported
A colossal asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago.
Many dinosaurs were wiped out by the asteroid.
One group of dinosaurs, birds, survived the asteroid impact.
Prof Steve Brusatte is a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh.
Brusatte has written a new book, “The Story of Birds,” tracing bird evolution from dinosaur origins.
Brusatte discussed with science correspondent Nicola Davis how scales became feathers and how winged dinosaurs survived the asteroid.
Brusatte stated that birds’ extreme adaptability offers hope they might survive the current environmental crisis.
Key figures
Prof Steve Brusatte, palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh
Nicola Davis, science correspondent
Sources: The Guardian
