Dinosaurs Around the World · Drawing 38 of 40
Dinosaur or Another Animal?
Fossils and Science
The duck is a living dinosaur. The pterosaur and marine reptile belong to other groups, despite their ancient appearance.
Did you know?
Not all large prehistoric reptiles are dinosaurs.
Look together
Find the duck, the pterosaur’s wings and the marine reptile’s flippers.
An idea to try
Discuss with an adult which clues this picture helps you explore.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
The museum compares a modern duck with two reconstructions: a pterosaur and an ichthyosaur. Birds are dinosaurs; the other two animals are not. Classification uses anatomical traits and ancestry, not just habitat or flight. The models are separate museum objects; these animals are not placed together in one ancient ecosystem.
Look together: Find the duck, the pterosaur’s wings and the marine reptile’s flippers. Discuss with an adult which clues this picture helps you explore.
Sources and illustration notes (2)
Simplified reconstruction. Pose, unpreserved tissues and setting are interpreted. Choose your own colours; animals are not to one scale.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Natural History Museum: Dinosaur or Another Animal?Distinguish a living bird within dinosaurs from related pterosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles.
- Natural History Museum: What is an ichthyosaur?Ichthyosaurs are marine reptiles with streamlined bodies, flippers, dorsal and caudal fins.
Source review: 2026-10-03. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
