Do humans-like dinosaurs-have a limited life span on earth?

Answer 1

Nothing, by definition, has a limited life span on the planet. Worms and other simple life have been around for 500 million years, and bacteria 3 billion years.

But the answer really is... who knows? I can't predict the future, as much as I'd like to.

We certainly are doing our best to make things bleaker...

Answer 2

Humans are one species; "the dinosaurs" refers to a large collection of many different organisms. A different question, but perhaps more in line with what you're trying to figure out, would be "is it possible that there is another extinction event that could eliminate most life on the Earth?"

The event that ended the dinosaur age was just one of several extinction events in history. However, it wasn't the most severe. The Permian-Triassic event, about 250 million years ago, wiped out most life on the Earth at that time, and was responsible for eliminating more species than the more recent event that killed off the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous.

While we don't know the precise circumstances that trigger these mass extinctions, what we DO know is that they have happened several times during the Earth's biological history. Thus, we can reasonably expect that it could happen again. It is possible that we are in the midst of such an event right now (due to human influence). It is also possible that a convergence of events involving an asteroid, supervolcano or other natural disasters could lead to an extinction event.

As others have mentioned, the Earth itself has a limited lifespan--albeit in the billions of years. However, it seems likely that any of the catastrophes that happened in the historical past wll happen several times over, well before we reach the time when our sun dies. In the meantime, humans may have an opportunity to avoid some of these events by developing technologies to prevent the catastrophes--or by developing the technology to leave the Earth and colonize other places, thus reducing our dependance on one precarious world.

Answer 3

It's slightly an unfair comparison as there were thousands of species of dinosaur, some of which were about as related to each other as we are to bats or molerats.

However, yes - we definitely have a limited life span on earth, if only because the sun will eventually become a red giant, massively expanding in size.

The resultant increase in radiation will essentially fry the planet... so in the unlikely event that the human race hasn't fried itself by then we'll be a goner anyway.

The various species of dinosaur lasted about 150 million years, I doubt we'd even reach that.

Answer 4

Probably so, but estimating just HOW long is rather tricky and always controversial since so many factors could contribute to an early, unexpected demise. Take a look at Timothy Ferris' video "Life Beyond Earth" (a first-rate product, really!) where the question about life ON Earth is examined from the perspective of the Drake Equation. One statistical method for estimating how much longer we (might) have is presented and explained. I'll caution you that this approach has been seriously challenged by other math-types, though.
Anyway, the estimate is that--odds are-- we're somewhere about half way through our anticipated residence time on Earth. (Pandemics, asteroid impacts, nuclear war, and Hillary Clinton not withstanding).

Good luck...it's a good question.

Answer 5

That all depends on wheather or not humanity goes through cycles like the earth. If we end up in another dark ages then yes we may not be able to ever get out of our own way. Previous to the fall of the Roman empire they were making advances in medicine, engineering and science in general which would not be duplicated for over 1500 years. Had we stayed on that track then we would have been able to launch a mission to the moon by 400AD. The answer is if we can figure out how to colonize other planets yes if we go through cycles where we lose all knowledge then no.

Answer 6

Since the Earth will be habitable for only a few billion more years, then yes, there's an upper limit for how long anything can live here. Unlike dinosaurs, we have the ability to develop technology to allow us to live in space or travel to other planets (as we discover them). Our descendents could conceivably live on for billions of years, but there's no guarantee that they will still look anything like us.

Answer 7

Yes, There is a basic principle that all species that have lived on earth are restricted by and thats natural slection. If something in an organisms nitch or habitat changes then that slected organism will either adapt or die, and much the same as humans, if something changes and we can not adapt, the human race will not be anymore.

Answer 8

Dinosaurs were not lizards. Lizards are not dinosaurs. Dinosaurs evolved into people that's why they disappeared people killed them off for food, That's why they licence hunters now they are starting to kill off lizards for food. Pretty soon there will be a critical shortage of lizard meat. Man is so destructive.

Answer 9

Well, of course we do. The Earth itself won't exist forever. Actually, if we figure out the right escape route, we might very possibly outlast the planet.

Answer 10

u can take that bet to the bank...
Ever heard of
What goes up must come down...
Nothing last forever.....
and besides humans are destroying the planet as if we had another to go to.