2007-11-09 05:28:12 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Since everyone else wants to make a joke, allow me to be serious. They asked the Geiko caveman what color they were. THAT'S how they know.
2007-11-09 05:53:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They make an educated guess based on the skin of modern day reptiles (anxcestors of the dinosaurs) like alligators and crocodiles and different species of lizards. I know they have found dinosaur eggs and are trying to map their genetic code, but I don't know if they have found anything pertaiing to skin pigmentation. I thought they were able to extract Dinosaur DNA (and I am not talking about the Jurassic Park movie.) I think they did and that's how they were able to come up with their skin color, but I'm not positive.
2007-11-09 05:34:56 · answer #2 · answered by dg2003 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't. They just make predictions based on current animals and the dinosaur's environment. If you haven't noticed, most animals use camouflage. It is assumed that dinos did the same. Color may also very depending on the eating habits and mating habits of a dinosaur. Those that were prey were more likely camouflaged while those that were predator had a larger likely hood to don a brighter hue.
2007-11-09 05:31:01 · answer #3 · answered by Colonel Obvious AM 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically, they guess. Not much is known about dinosaurs, and we can't even be certain that we've correctly re-constructed their bone structure because we have so little to work with. So what most museums do is hire a bunch of artists, sit them in a conference room and say "draw us a picture of what you think a dinosaur looked like."
2007-11-09 05:35:21 · answer #4 · answered by The Chaplain 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now it's not known, but educated guesses are made using the available information, such as their closest surviving relatives, their environment, diet etc.
It won't be too long, though, until genetic tests will be able to reveal such detail from DNA from remains - assuming that enough material has survived to be tested. The computer programmes for DNA profiling are getting better all the time.
2007-11-09 05:36:04 · answer #5 · answered by professor_perv 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I've read, scientists are trying to use vegetation to determine color(s). Camouflage, and what they ate. Including dig-sites that contain fossilized vegetation, and the pigmentation that were contained in them. Call it animal instinct...I suppose.
2007-11-09 05:39:24 · answer #6 · answered by 2Janus2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No They have made assumptions that, being reptilian, the look like the reptiles of today. However, for all we know Triceratops had one yellow and one red horn with a purple shield and pink striped body.
2007-11-09 05:31:46 · answer #7 · answered by Abolir Las Farc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't. It is all guessing from whatever current creature we have today they close resemble.
For example, the saber tooth closest resemble a cross between a cat and lion. So you often time see it a bit yellowish ton fur..
2007-11-09 05:31:45 · answer #8 · answered by Smilepak 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Myy best friend, Barry is white. I always call him an old dinosaur
2007-11-09 05:38:14 · answer #9 · answered by the_chief 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sheeeez Lil thats an easy one, they called Steven Speilburg
2007-11-09 20:41:39 · answer #10 · answered by mrliteman001 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋