The extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, caused by an asteroid 66 million years ago, dramatically altered Earth's history, paving the way for mammals and humans. But what if it hadn't happened?
Dinosaurs were thriving before the impact, having survived for 165 million years. Their adaptability allowed them to overcome climate changes, volcanic eruptions, and sea-level fluctuations. They likely would have continued to evolve and dominate ecosystems.
Adaptations like feathers and warm-bloodedness could have helped them survive ice ages. While the idea of dinosaur intelligence comparable to humans is debated, modern birds, their descendants, show remarkable cognitive abilities.
Without the extinction, mammals would likely have remained small, preventing the rise of humans. Our existence is contingent on these events.
Modern birds, descendants of dinosaurs, offer a glimpse of what could have been. Their diversity highlights the evolutionary potential of their ancestors. The survival of dinosaurs is a major "What if..." of evolution, showing how cosmic events shape life.