Dinosaurs have been the subject of fascination for many years, appearing in movies, books and even family shows. UK and international producers, artists and illustrators have created beautiful pictures of these ‘terrible lizards’. But did you know that they often had to guess which colours to use? So, was the infamous T-Red really green or did our imaginations run away with us a little too much? Let’s take a closer look at dinosaurs and their different colours.

The History of Palaeontology 

For a long time, palaeontologists were unable to say for sure what dinosaurs looked like because fossils were only available as tracks, bones and, in rare cases, skin impressions that revealed the texture of dinosaur scales. This all changed back in 2006 when palaeontologist, Jacob Vinther, made a breakthrough discovery. He found that some prehistoric cephalopod fossils (fossils of creatures such as ammonites) contained pigment-carrying organelles called melanosomes. These melanosomes were previously thought to have been fossilised bacteria, and had been disregarded by other scientists.

The thinking was that if melanosomes could be preserved in a prehistoric cephalopod, then why not in other tissues, like those of dinosaurs? By 2010, a different picture of what dinosaurs used to look like started to emerge. Scientists also studied closely related species, such as birds, to get a more rounded picture of dinosaur colourings.

Through careful research it was discovered that some feathered dinosaurs had dark, iridescent sheens like ravens while others had red and white striped tails. Some were even multi-coloured - just like many of the birds that are still present on planet Earth today.

Colours of Dinosaur Skin

As well as discovering the colours of dinosaur feathers, similar processes have been used to identify the colour of dinosaur skin. It was found that many dinosaurs adapted to their environment, with herbivores boasting earthy tones that helped them blend into their surroundings. The horned Psittacosaurus and the armoured dinosaur Borealopelta, for example, were darker above and lighter below to create a natural camouflage called countershading. Both of these dinosaurs would have had to look out for predators, so disruptive coloration would have helped them to avoid being eaten.

While there are some limitations to studying skin colours, it’s thought that many dinosaurs might have also been brightly coloured to attract mates. Crests, frills or horns could have been colourful for mating purposes. Many would have had colourful feathers too, a bit like the modern peacock who puts on a glamorous display to attract a mating partner.

Recent studies also seem to show that T-Rex was not in fact a solid shade of dark green but was more likely to have had patches of brown, black and grey.

If you’re fascinated by dinosaurs and are looking for dinosaur attractions near me, don’t miss Dinosaur World Live. This exciting stage show features spectacular scenery, life-like puppets and plenty of dino facts for children aged three and up. It’s currently touring the UK, so check out Dinosaur World prices today and join in this roarsome adventure at a theatre near you.