These animals look like dinosaurs for different reasons. A cassowary's three-toed feet show something of the body plan still present in birds, the living branch of theropod dinosaurs. A lizard's spiny back or a…
Items 35 The creator’s order
1 Southern cassowary Put the southern cassowary beside an illustration of a small theropod and start with the feet. Three toes and an especially long inner claw make the resemblance easy to see. Its tall casque and bare, colorful neck give the living bird a silhouette of its own. 0 2 Shoebill Look at the shoebill from the front for the effect of its huge bill and forward stare. The bill’s hooked tip helps it hold prey. Long legs and a close, compact stance are what give it a dinosaur-like profile when it waits at the water’s edge. 0 3 Marine iguana A line of spines runs down the back of the marine iguana and breaks the outline of its dark scales. A blunt face and flattened tail are easier to see from the side. The tail also makes a useful comparison with how a modern lizard moves through water. 0 4 Saltwater crocodile A heavy armored back and a long, low skull give this crocodile the outline many people associate with prehistoric reptiles. Look at where its legs meet the body. Crocodilians and birds both belong to the archosaur branch, with crocodilians on a separate branch from dinosaurs. 0 5 Common ostrich Watch how much of the leg appears below the feathers. Many small non-avian theropods also had long legs for fast movement, although the living ostrich has a distinctive two-toed foot. Its long, exposed neck makes the running outline especially easy to see. 0 6 Emu The emu’s low, shaggy body and long neck stay steady as its legs move. Its three large toes give a closer comparison with many fossil theropod tracks than an ostrich’s two. Look for the feet on firm ground, where their shape is especially clear. 0 7 Greater rhea A rhea’s long legs, alert head, and loose feathers recall the runners in illustrations of small theropods. When the wings spread, they reveal how much feathered surface can be hidden in a standing bird. 0 8 Secretarybird The raised crest, long legs, and strong feet account for much of this bird’s raptor-like posture. When it hunts on foot, it can stomp prey with fast downward kicks. The feathered body reveals the ancestry it shares with all modern birds. 0 9 Southern ground hornbill Start with the downward-curving bill and black body before looking at the legs. This hornbill spends much of its time walking on the ground, where its heavy head and steady gait make the resemblance clearer than a portrait alone. 0 10 Wild turkey A wild turkey makes the living dinosaur comparison close to home. Look for the exposed skin of the head, the thick legs, and the spreading toes while it walks. A display makes the feathered side of that same body plan impossible to miss. 0 
Southern cassowaryPut the southern cassowary beside an illustration of a small theropod and start with the feet. Three toes and an especially long inner claw make the resemblance easy to see. Its tall casque and bare, colorful neck give the living bird a silhouette of its own.0
ShoebillLook at the shoebill from the front for the effect of its huge bill and forward stare. The bill’s hooked tip helps it hold prey. Long legs and a close, compact stance are what give it a dinosaur-like profile when it waits at the water’s edge.0
Marine iguanaA line of spines runs down the back of the marine iguana and breaks the outline of its dark scales. A blunt face and flattened tail are easier to see from the side. The tail also makes a useful comparison with how a modern lizard moves through water.0
Saltwater crocodileA heavy armored back and a long, low skull give this crocodile the outline many people associate with prehistoric reptiles. Look at where its legs meet the body. Crocodilians and birds both belong to the archosaur branch, with crocodilians on a separate branch from dinosaurs.0
Common ostrichWatch how much of the leg appears below the feathers. Many small non-avian theropods also had long legs for fast movement, although the living ostrich has a distinctive two-toed foot. Its long, exposed neck makes the running outline especially easy to see.0
EmuThe emu’s low, shaggy body and long neck stay steady as its legs move. Its three large toes give a closer comparison with many fossil theropod tracks than an ostrich’s two. Look for the feet on firm ground, where their shape is especially clear.0
Greater rheaA rhea’s long legs, alert head, and loose feathers recall the runners in illustrations of small theropods. When the wings spread, they reveal how much feathered surface can be hidden in a standing bird.0
SecretarybirdThe raised crest, long legs, and strong feet account for much of this bird’s raptor-like posture. When it hunts on foot, it can stomp prey with fast downward kicks. The feathered body reveals the ancestry it shares with all modern birds.0
Southern ground hornbillStart with the downward-curving bill and black body before looking at the legs. This hornbill spends much of its time walking on the ground, where its heavy head and steady gait make the resemblance clearer than a portrait alone.0
Wild turkeyA wild turkey makes the living dinosaur comparison close to home. Look for the exposed skin of the head, the thick legs, and the spreading toes while it walks. A display makes the feathered side of that same body plan impossible to miss.0