If you’re looking for ‘family theatre near me’ this summer, don’t miss the UK tour of Dinosaur World Live. Dive into a prehistoric world with this award-winning stage show and meet a range of dinos, from the tiny microraptor to the giant, flesh-eating Tyrannosaurus Rex. 

Like every other species on earth, dinosaurs had to evolve and adapt in order to survive challenges such as changes in the climate, the availability of food and the need for defence. Let’s take a look at how dinosaurs adapted to their environment. 

How do adaptations occur?

Over millions of years, dinosaurs developed characteristics that helped them to survive. These were either physical - such as the long necks of sauropods - or behavioural, like the movement of animals in herds or the tendency to hunt in packs. The dinosaurs that were best suited to their environment survived and reproduced, passing their characteristics on to future generations. 

Cold-adapted creatures

In 2016, a research team went to the Junggar basin in northwest China and discovered something remarkable: dinosaurs were not originally adapted for warm, tropical environments as had been previously thought. Rather, in the beginning they were primarily adapted for the cold, being insulated like birds with feather-like structures called ‘protofeathers’. 

When a series of violent volcanic eruptions occurred at the end of the Triassic period, wiping out much of the existing life, dinosaurs survived the plummeting temperatures that were caused by sulphur dioxide blocking out sunlight. With much of the competition eliminated, dinosaurs were able to reign supreme for the next 136 million years. 

Another interesting adaptation was that dinosaurs could temporarily stop growing in the harsh winters, enabling them to conserve energy while food was scarce. Fossilised bones found at the Junggar basin showed bone rings that indicate this growth pattern. 

Rise of the sauropods

As the earth warmed during the Jurassic period, sauropods got larger. This was due to a combination of a high availability of food, their efficient feeding strategies and their high basal metabolic rate, which supported rapid growth. There’s no evidence to suggest they had protofeathers, which indicates they adapted to survive in warmer climates. Their long necks were not only an adaptation for reaching high foliage; they also provided a greater surface area, helping them to regulate their body temperature.

Unique adaptations

The dinosaurs diversified throughout the Jurassic period, reaching peak diversity during the Cretaceous. Many of them developed unique and somewhat bizarre adaptations to suit their habitats. Spinosaurus, for example, lived in the tidal flats of North Africa, and evolved an impressive sail on its back to support its semi-aquatic lifestyle. 

Stegosaurus, meanwhile, developed large plates on its back, the function of which is unknown, while Anchiornis had four wings and curved claws that may have been used for tree climbing. 

Catch Dinosaur World Live on stage

The Dinosaur World Live family theatre show is a great way to help kids learn more about the dinosaurs and their adaptations. Using intricate puppets, it introduces audiences to some of the most impressive dinosaurs, bringing them to life with energy and flair. Currently on tour, it’s one of the best family shows in the UK, having won an Olivier Award in 2024. Book your tickets today before they go extinct!