How did dinosaurs go from humble beginnings to ruling the Earth? The answer might lie in their… poop. 🌍 Scientists studying 200-million-year-old fossilized feces and vomit in Poland have pieced together clues about how these ancient creatures outcompeted rivals over 30 million years. Talk about a *long* game! 🕰️
Published in Nature, the research analyzed hundreds of dino droppings (yes, coprolites!), uncovering fish scales, insect bits, and bone shards. 🐟🦴 Turns out, early dinosaurs were total opportunists—munching on whatever they could find, from plants to prey. Researchers call them ‘go-getters’ who adapted fast when climate shifts brought new plant species. 🌱💪
‘It wasn’t sudden luck—they evolved strategies to thrive,’ said study co-author Martin Qvarnstrom. While plant-eating dinos expanded their diets, other species struggled. But the team wants to check fossils worldwide to see if this ‘flexibility’ theory holds. 🌏🔍
Fossilized poop might look like ‘boring blobs,’ says paleobiologist Emma Dunne, but they’re packed with secrets. ‘Delicate clues hiding in plain sight!’ 🔬✨
