Why Mammals Survived the Asteroid, But Dinos No

When a giant asteroid hit Earth around 66 million years ago, it created a massive disaster that wiped out the dinosaurs. But somehow, many mammals survived, and scientists have some ideas why. Unlike the dinosaurs, early mammals were small and could burrow underground or hide in small spaces, which helped them escape the intense heat and fires. They were also able to eat a variety of foods, like seeds and insects, which made it easier for them to survive when plant life was scarce. Dinosaurs, on the other hand, mostly needed specific plants or prey, which disappeared after the impact. Plus, mammals could regulate their body temperature better, helping them survive in the extreme cold that followed. All these survival skills meant mammals had a better chance to make it through—and eventually thrive—while dinosaurs sadly didn’t.