Fossilized Dinosaur Poop Reveals Secrets of Their Evolutionary Success

New research uncovers how early dinosaurs' diverse diets helped them thrive during environmental changes 200 million years ago.

Scientists analyzed over 500 fossilized digestive remains, including dinosaur poop and vomit, to study early dinosaur ecosystems.
The study, conducted over 25 years, focused on samples from the Polish Basin, a region from the Late Triassic period on the supercontinent Pangea.
Findings revealed diverse diets, with herbivorous dinosaurs consuming toxic plants like ferns, possibly using charcoal to detoxify their stomachs.
Carnivorous dinosaurs were found to have consumed prey ranging from insects to larger animals, with evidence of bone-crushing behavior similar to modern hyenas.
Researchers concluded that dietary adaptability was key to dinosaurs' rise to dominance, offering insights into evolutionary survival during periods of climate change.