PATRIOTIC PREHISTORIC CREATURES
Almost since the creation of the country, Americans have been naming prehistoric creatures after Americans icons and states. In this article, I will be showcasing 10 notable creatures, with rather patriotic names.
#10: THE American MASTODON
Mammut americanum was one of the earliest discovered prehistoric animals in American history. The first fossil was discovered in 1705, but a scientific study was not conducted till 1739. At that time period, extinction was a barely accepted concept. This led Thomas Jefferson to add the search for fossil creatures to the mission agenda for Lewis and Clark. Unfortunately, they did not find any extinct forms of life.
#9: Megalonyx jeffersonii
Discovered shortly after the founding of the United States, Megalonyx jeffersonii was named after Thomas Jefferson, who showed great interest in the initial fossil. Megalonyx was another creature Jefferson hoped Lewis and Clark would discover in the land past the Mississippi River.
#8: dakotadon lakotaensis
Not a very popular dinosaur, Dakotadon lakotaensis was once classified as a species of the more famous, Iguanodon. Because of this, Dakotadon did manage to get a moment of fame when it was briefly featured in the BBC program, Walking with Dinosaurs.
#7: Montanoceratops cerorhynchus
Another unknown species, Montanoceratops cerorhynchus is one of the only primitive ceratopsians discovered in North America.
#6: appalachiosaurus montgomeriensis
As its name suggests, Appalachiosaurus montgomeriensis was discovered in Appalachian Mountains in Alabama. The adult size of this creature is unknown, as only one juvenile specimen is known. Appalachiosaurus is one of only two tyrannosaurs discovered east of the Dakotas.
#5: utahceratops gettyi
Unsuprisingly, Utahceratops gettyi was discovered in Utah. The name of Utahceratops is on unstable ground, as new studies classify it as a species of Chasmosaurus.
#4: Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis
As its name suggests, Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis was first discovered in the state of Wyoming.
#2: Utahraptor ostrommaysorum
Yet another dinosaur named after the state of Utah, Utahraptor ostrommaysorum remains the largest raptor dinosaur (maniraptoran) ever discovered, standing over 7 feet tall.
#3: Dakotaraptor steini
Standing 6 feet tall, Dakotaraptor steini is possibly the closest science will ever get to a real Jurassic Park raptor.
#1: Alamosaurus sanjuanensis
A sauropod reaching for the title of being the largest land animal ever, Alamosaurus sanjuanensis was the only sauropod to ever possibly be hunted by Tyrannosaurus.
Conclusion
I hope you all enjoyed reading about these patriotic prehistoric creatures. Keep an eye out for future holiday specials and enjoy your 4th of July!
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Image Credits
All images have had minor cropping in order to fit the space required
All images are used under Fair Use laws
Credits are listed in order of appearance: Top to Bottom and Left to Right
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Utahraptor with flag
Original picture by: Emily Willoughby
Flag by: The United States Government
Edited by: Liekeze
Mastodon
Original painting by: Charles R. Knight
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Megalonyx
Original photo by: Liekeze
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Dakotadon
Original picture by: The BBC
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Montanoceratops
Original picture by: Nobu Tamura
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Appalachiosaurus
Original photo by: Ralph Daily
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Utahceratops
Original photo by: Liekeze
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Pachycephalosaurus
Original screenshot by: Liekeze
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Dakotaraptor
Original picture by: Emily Willoughby
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Utahraptor
Original picture by: Emily Willoughby
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Alamosaurus
Original photo by Rodney
