The Dinosaurs of the Triassic Period: A Summary of the First Dinosaurs and their Rise to Dominance

The Triassic was the first period of the Mesozoic Era, the Age of Reptiles. Unlike the following Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, dinosaurs were not yet the dominate animals during the Triassic Period. The purpose of this video is to provide an extensive summary of these early dinosaurs, which were quiet different from the view most people have of the dinosaurs.
It covers both the most famous dinosaurs of this time, such as Coelophysis and Plateosaurus, and much more obscure ones like Daemonosaurus and Saturnalia. It also gives an overview of their spread across Pangea, their early evolution, and of course their rise to dominance.
Thank you to the themattalorian for narrating this video and to Bethany Lester (@bethssketches) for creating the illustration depicting Triassic dinosaurs in a snowy environment.
Sources:
www.paleolab.com.br/assets/upl...
journals.plos.org/plosone/art...
www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
www.researchgate.net/publicat...
www.researchgate.net/publicat...
academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/a...
www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Dedm...
www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s...
www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/11/973
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/f...
www.cambridge.org/core/journa...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s...
www.cell.com/current-biology/...
00:00 - Introduction
01:49 - The Triassic World
06:50 - Dinosaur Ancestors
09:11 - The First Dinosaurs
10:58 - Dinosaur Relationships
11:47 - Herrerasauria
15:59 - Triassic Theropods
21:48 - Basal Sauropodomorphs
25:06 - Prosauropods
29:56 - Triassic Ornithischians
36:09 - Triassic Dinosaur Paleobiogeography
40:35 - The Rise Of The Dinosaurs
45:10 - Other Triassic Survivors
46:37 - The Early Jurassic World
49:16 - Conclusion
50:13 - Outro

[@TransSappho]

I’m a phylogenetics researcher who specifically studied the phylogeny of Triassic dinosaurs, and this video’s representation of the consensus regarding dinosaur phylogeny being unsolved gets my seal of approval

[@tonytaskforce3465]

Now that's what I call a seal of approval. 🤓👍✅

[@Tyrantlizardking105]

I think I may like to get into paleo-systematics. Any tips?

[@jesswolfe3737]

@@Tyrantlizardking105just do it! Start right meow!

[@MrGreen-fi5sg]

No

[@athos9293]

Your pfp looks like my cat who died last year

[@alexfritz2166]

A Triassic deep dive, is legitimately the content I’ve have been looking for for years, you sir have finally quenched my mighty thirst.

[@astridvvv9662]

God, me too.

[@nvender9062]

Same dude!

[@danielhughes423]

Thank u

[@TeethToothman]

​@@danielhughes423 ❤

[@nono9543]

These dinosaurs deserve just as much respect as your favorite dinosaurs. The success of these guys would determine the course of nature for the next hundreds of millions of years to come. It's because of their success that we have so many various birds today that are still thriving. The dinosaurs never died out because of them. These rose to be speedy fast thinking animals and that is how they have survived today.

[@williamchamberlain2263]

Yeah, but they were pretty crap and just got lucky everyone else was crappier

[@billcarruth8122]

Forgot to mention how delicious they are, especially with some Swiss Challet sauce.

[@Makabert.Abylon]

@@billcarruth8122 you mean a mutated creature so called chicken, or a random crow from the backyard?

[@universaleye1689]

Yeah and they deserve recognise for their paths and they rose from small to titans of their times

[@samuraispeltwrong]

My second favorite therapod is dilophosaurus lol

[@daniell1483]

It is hard to not admire these early dinosaurs. They were the trailblazers, the pioneers of what would follow them. They were the underdogs of their age, making their success all the more impressive.

[@athos9293]

​@@Aiel-Necromancer some terrestrial birds resemble non avian dinosaurs when walking

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

@@athos9293 lol @ "terrestrial birds" 😆

[@Kaity0415]

It

[@stonefish1318]

Basically the Republic before the Empire

[@harleyme3163]

so.. what about the race before them? do you really think time started with us? thats awefull self centered... ahh thats why you think your the center of everything..... wonder how an explosion creates when humans witness explosion's destroying things,,,, LOL humans are so uninteligent I would want to visit them if I were an alien.. I'd be totally disgusted by them

[@ego4551]

Finally, Someone properly covering the Triassic!

[@dinohall2595]

I can't believe I just watched a 51-minute video in one go with no breaks and was engrossed the whole time. Bravo, excellent video which deserves to be screened in every classroom that ever discusses dinosaurs!

[@HeteroSkeletal]

Well said

[@susannahdrazin220]

Thank you for mentioning thecodontosaurus, the only dinosaur first discovered within walking distance of where I grew up!

[@jensphiliphohmann1876]

This video is mind- blowing to someone like me who used to think that feathers were a relatively late development and dinosaurs were mostly adapted to warm climate first.

[@bkjeong4302]

The ironic thing is that dinosaurs were actually worse-suited to the frequent harsh droughts and hothouse conditions of the Late Triassic than the croc-line archosaurs, the exact opposite of what way too many people still believe as a result of WWD.

[@MrGreen-fi5sg]

No

[@maurissauro]

Excellent video! As someone who works in the field, it's always nice to see Triassic getting the treatment it deserves. We still have a lot to unravel regarding the origin of dinosaurs, but it is impressive how our knowledge has advanced greatly in recent years. Keep up the good work!

[@MrGreen-fi5sg]

No

[@KazunariGames]

@@MrGreen-fi5sg gonna cry bro?

[@MrGreen-fi5sg]

@@KazunariGames Men dont cry sissy.

[@TrajGreekFire]

Prosauropods might be the most underrated group of dinosaurs

[@GREYFLWRMUSIC]

Stumbled on this video because I let YT run on autoplay while watching YDAW, and I gotta say, I am happy that YT decided to show me this. What an amazing deep dive.

[@joewesterland5697]

I loves the choise of pictures in this video. The extremely realistic and up to date palio art really helps when imagining that these animals were all real.

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

This was a delightful video on the Trassic Era. I really hope you have amazing day

[@porsche911sbs]

it's amazing how the pseudosuchians and the dinosaurs evolved separately into the same niches at different times

[@89ji36]

This is fantastic, I've adored all of your crocodylomorph and other videos but the Triassic specifically interests me so much and I was thrilled to see this upload today. Fantastic work and I look forward to all the other great projects you'll put out in the future.

[@user-tv1ff4dz6d]

It is one of the best channels about paleontology and prehistoric animals! Thanks for video!

[@SchAlternate]

It's interesting how dinosaurs were previously depicted as almost exclusively tropical animals that would've faired poorly in the cooler climates we have today, when in reality it was their ancestral resistence to cold that ultimately allowed them to attain their ecological supremacy.

[@bkjeong4302]

It actually gets funnier because dinosaurs in the Triassic actually did WORSE during hot, harsh drought conditions than other archosaurs.

[@MrGreen-fi5sg]

No

[@MrGreen-fi5sg]

@@bkjeong4302 no

[@jamessmilus321]

@@bkjeong4302, source?

[@loungelizard3922]

@@MrGreen-fi5sg no

[@uledisuddie952]

Happy APRIL FOOLS . This vid is extremely educational and spreads no misinformation unlike some other paleo vids like Brightside's .

[@DoodersDen]

What a lovely, informative, well edited, and downright inspiring video! Your content never ceases to entertain, inform, and incentivise my own development of content and just learning in general!! Keep up the great work, man!!

[@davissae]

Thank you so much. I have learned so much about the evolutionary incubator that was the Triassic and that the earliest dinos were therapod-like. Wonderful.

[@JorgeMorenoCGArtist]

What a video!!! Thanks for this research and so good presentation about early dinosaur and relatives!

[@marcosalerno4254]

Very, very awesome! The early evolution of dinosaurs and in general the Triassic period are so underrated compared to Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Very great, congratulations Chimera.

[@rmv500]

Between your video and a new ydaw, this is a great day for dino fans!

[@BobBob-eb4io]

This is going to be awesome

[@Alberad08]

Thanky a lot for creating & sharing this meticulously compiled documentation on early dinosaurs - really enjoyed watching it!

[@christiansherlock6662]

I'm stoked out of my mind to see Silesaurs getting exposure and acceptance as early Ornithischians. As a theory, it's not only being quickly accepted by scientific communities, but also if you think about it it just makes so much sense. If they are accepted as dinosaurs, I no longer have to struggle to think of my favourite dinosaur, because it's obviously some kind of Silesaur.

[@max.thecarno]

I love you man❤ your my favorite pelotuber

[@prasanth2601]

You should have to make a video on purusaurus. I'd love to see you cover that topic.

[@boopy3919]

i have always craved more triassic paleomedia. I hope we get some high-qulity prehistoric planet-style docusereies about it.

[@prizrenbucpapaj869]

Thank you CHimerasaurus for this GREAT video essay, it has indeed given a good overview over early Dinosauria! Great, great job!

[@joey2765]

That’s what I said‼️ Triassic period is often overlook by other periods but to me Triassic has one of the most unique looking reptiles🗣. I’ll watch a movie or documentary based solely on the animals of the Triassic anyday

[@mrbanjofrog]

Great video with lots of detail. I usually don’t watch long palaeontology videos because they can get a bit boring but this was great!

[@Ballistics_Computer]

The Triassic and early Jurassic are my favorite times for the dinos.

[@jasonsantos3037]

The Triassic is a fascinating time for early dinosaurs.

[@tomatosoup44]

Cool video, very informative and with mostly up to date and accurate images.

[@vibuma]

amazing video,this channel keeps teaching me new things about something that has fascinated me for decades,thank you.

[@Huitizilopochtli]

Amazing, I thank you for all the knowledge I lacked on the Triassic dinosaurs.

[@joeshmoe8345]

Awesome, love it. Thanks Big Dog.

[@abscently_inefficient4892]

I'd just like for you to know that this is my comfort youtube video and i play it when I'm anxious

[@zacharyrupley3264]

Yes! Excellent Work!

[@SaltySteff]

A concise video about my favourite period! Your videos are so well made. Your narration is clear, articulate and pleasant to the ears without being too dumbed down and simplistic. Also, I really enjoy the visuals and the up to date paleoart. Subbed!

[@mymom1462]

This is your best work dude! Keep it up. Do you mind sharing how you edit your videos and the sound system you use? It is extremely soothing to listen and watch and I would like to start doing this as well.

[@chimerasuchus]

I edit my videos in Da Vinci Resolve. I do not know what sound system the narrator (themattalorian) used, but I use Audacity.

[@above7793]

It's not the sound system, it's good source material. A quiet room where you can record just your voice will be infinitely more beneficial than the latest high end audio gear and processors

[@KellyClowers]

Very helpful overview, and great narration! Thanks!

[@ashiqurrahman8830]

EPIC VIDEO!!!!!INCREDIBLE STUFF!!!!!!KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!

[@Spudmay]

The Triassic was so cool! Such hidden diversity

[@sallylouise9826]

This is an amazing video I came here after watching a video about the Morrison formation . Really great info about these overlooked early dinosaurs of the Triassic period .

[@olddrunkbastard1825]

amazing and detailed content like this makes it so easy and enjoyable for even a casual like me to get into paleontology, don't ever be dissuaded by low views because creators like you are the real backbone of this platform

[@BinroWasRight]

This is absolutely brilliant and masterful. Thank you!

[@user-uv8ux6se7f]

I think your channel is very very good so keep up the good work. Calm speech, beautiful pictures and a fairly large amount of information are combined in my opinion perfectly.

[@TufteMotorsport]

And no facecams also helps. I find it offputting when I focus on a detail on paleo art just for it to jumpcut right into a closeup of a guy talking to me.

[@posticusmaximus1739]

Thanks for this. Just like my fascination of the Danian period & wider Paleogene for the general obscurity of the earlier post-Kpg mammal, the Triassic is almost a parallel narrative.

[@bkjeong4302]

Do note that mammals took over right at the start of the Paleogene, with large herbivores and carnivores evolving during the Early Paleocene. Big mammals were around before any of the Cenozoic’s giant flightless birds were. In this sense, the Paleogene is actually far more akin to the Early Jurassic than the Triassic.

[@posticusmaximus1739]

@@bkjeong4302 Not too familiar with the early Jurassic. But early mammals in South America lived in the shadows of Crocodilians like Purusauraus and the super-snake, Titanoboa just to mention a couple of reptiles that made mammals the underdog for a moment

[@chimerasuchus]

While Paleocene mammals were on average larger than during the Mesozoic ancestors, they were actually pretty slow to replace the non-avian dinosaurs. Additionally, the Early Jurassic is notable for relatively large species surviving the preceding mass extinction, while mammals had to start from scratch. Even the exceptional pantodont Barylambda, perhaps the largest Paleocene mammal, is pretty small compared to later Eocene herbivores, let along the elephant sized sauropodomorphs of the Early Jurassic. On the other hand, Purusauraus lived during the Miocene, which was much later in Cenozoic. Indeed, it grew so massive so as to hunt the local mammalian megafauna. Still, the contemporaneous terror birds and sebecids, which included perhaps the largest terrestrial predator of the entire Cenozoic era, did leave the native South American mammalian predators in an underdog position.

[@bkjeong4302]

@@chimerasuchus The Paleocene large mammals were still significantly larger than most of the large Paleocene nonmammals, and more importantly, they were older than most of said nonmammals (especially things like the gastornithids). The traditional narrative was that things like the planocraniids or gastornithids could only exist because there was no mammalian competition and that they were outcompeted into extinction once mammals started getting big, but the fact mammals started getting big *before* such animals existed undermines this narrative.

[@paulofearghail9408]

Congrats on a solid, informative, well-researched, and particularly well-narrated video. Great job.

[@LoudmouthReviews]

Good and highly informative video

[@posticusmaximus1739]

This video is so good I come back to it every now and again to rewatch in full!

[@bibia666]

👍👍👍Great episode 🙏🙏🙏Thanks for the upload ❤️🙋‍♂️😃Greetings bibia

[@gerrardjones28]

Awesome video!

[@softestshark]

i cant believe channels (and videos) like this are free. thank you so much

[@mlggodzilla1567]

Another great video 😎

[@gajxo]

This is the best presentation of triassic dinosaurs I have seen anywhere, surpassing even Walking with dinosaurs ep1.

[@SucculentSpaz]

Amazing video, thank you for not adding music, it makes it so much easier to focus on the subject

[@robertmccabe841]

These reviews, many by people working on the problems involved in the Triassic and the evolution of vertebrates are some of the most positive I ever seen. Keep up the excellent review of all the diverse information published. Your work will stimulate lots of people trying to improve on the ideas you synthesized in this video. For your whole team, keep up the good work-it’s important to make these large scale models- they serve as a target for others to focus on in future work.

[@thegreatcirclegame]

Beautiful work on this! Well paced!

[@rogeriopenna9014]

I live just 200km from the Santa Maria formation. My state is also full of Araucaria pines, a quite pre historic tree which dinos loved to eat

[@KaijuFan1954]

Yet again another cool and amazing video!

[@sauraplay2095]

This was a amazing video! Thank you!

[@chimerasuchus]

I am glad you enjoyed it.

[@chug5136]

Awesome! definitely subscribing your presentation and way you speak isn’t boring, definitely will share this round

[@hangonsnoop]

This was a interesting and accessible introduction to this topic.

[@TheKeithvidz]

finished last night with it on my radar i think - first rate, second to none and FREE. I Love dinos.

[@WizardApologist]

i didnt know i wanted a trassic history rundown but now that ive watched this i love it sm

[@noahmcconnell5560]

Such a good vid man love the Triassic

[@scottythetrex5197]

This is an EXCELLENT video. Thank you.

[@bensantos3882]

This man and his outstanding team make nothing but S-Class works. I'm anything but amazed by what Chm the crocodile man creates for us, thank you!!!

[@sterlingnilssen5812]

This video was so wonderful

[@daltonsherrod1573]

I’d love to see a video like this but for the early or even the entire Jurassic dinosaurs next!

[@cadedunkley5859]

Amazing video. Would love to see a video on the Permian or the Permian - Triassic boundary

[@alexandermorrison1010]

Good stuff guy.

[@unlimitedbug]

Thank you for such informative videos. They've helped reinvigorate my childhood obsession with creatures and habitats before us. I also commend your patience with some of the comments under this video and probably others lol. Have a good one.

[@Djingoclottates]

Thank you for this video, I always loved the weird primal aspect of triassic dinosaurs but almost no one pays them much attention. Your videos in general really highlight all the stuff I wish would've been more common in documentaries when i was a kid in the late 90s/2000s Especially your videos on pesudosuchians and later crocodile relatives

[@floflo1645]

Amazing video. I look forward to other overviews of famous triassic groups, may it be other archosaurs or even aquatic reptiles (sauropterygia and ichthyopterygia come to my mind)

[@unitor699industries]

Suddenly got this in my recommended and immediately subbed

[@TheWhitefisher]

Ahhh yes the herrerosaurs, I remembered they weren't dinosaurs from Microsoft Dinosaurs and today I've just learned a little more modern info

[@chrissyvanhoek2254]

I really enjoyed it it was beautiful thank you😊😊😊😊

[@RemusKingOfRome]

Great video. Art work is superb.

[@marckeesrobinson4273]

Well done. Well done! 👏🏾

[@shadowmax889]

Excellent video

[@deathsnitemaresinfullust2269]

Awesome. Just stopping by to 👍 and save this to my watch later so i can check it out after WrestleMania is done with the weekend. 😄👍

[@Cool_Kid95]

I mean you're right about the underrepresentation of the Triassic period. I'm pretty sure the Fossil Fighters games only have 3 Triassic era creatures in them, and one isn't even a dinosaur. EDIT: I checked the wiki, I was wrong. There's 4, 2 of them aren't dinosaurs.

[@chocolatefrenzieya]

Seeing the chicken up there with all the dinosaurs gave me a good chuckle.

[@hugoaltomare7658]

Excellent video!

[@fireraid2336]

Also amazing work i learned a lot!

[@podtherod9304]

Amazing video

[@bencake28]

Omg what a Challenge to form one Video about this time period with focus in all Dino groups. 😮 And you nailed it! Damn, this is so great! Thank you a lot! 🦖 In my opinion we have the ancestors (all simplified): Archos And than these classes: Orinthi, Sauri, Croco and Ptero And these have their well known underclasses 😉

[@1998topornik]

Finally Triassic gets some well deserved love.

[@stonefish1318]

Thank you for covering this fascinating, but too ofently overlooked period of time! Could you do pls one about all the other animals of the triassic

[@jamesredmond7001]

Great video, although I will say that it will be interesting to see how well that take on the Silesaurs ages in the future.

[@DylansPen]

The timeline of all life on Earth is endlessly fascinating as are the mass extinctions that changed the landscape all along the way. An Earth without grass until after the dinosaurs disappeared.

[@chimerasuchus]

Grass did exist during the Late Cretaceous, it was just geographically restricted and uncommon.

[@19megamustaine85]

Wow this has to be your best video you ewer made !

[@samlund8543]

12:50 Pog Face

[@quintondavis6010]

Really helped my understanding feel like I learned alot

[@brambleheart]

All dinosaurs are beautiful creatures, and we wouldn’t have gotten to know them if not for these trailblazers ❤🦕

[@thearnoldarmy1899]

Glad this popped up