Imagine a World Without Extinct Dinosaurs: Would Humans Even Be Here? Discover the Shocking Truth!

Sixty-six million years ago, a massive asteroid struck Earth, devastating the planet. This event caused the extinction of about 75% of species, including the nonavian dinosaurs. The asteroid, measuring around 9 miles wide (15 km), hit what is now Mexico, creating firestorms, acid rain, and a global winter that altered ecosystems forever.

But what if that asteroid hadn’t hit? Could dinosaurs have survived and evolved into intelligent beings? What would have happened to mammals, our ancient ancestors, in a world still ruled by dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs existed for 165 million years, surviving changes in sea levels, volcanic activity, and shifting climates. Some experts believe that, without the asteroid impact, dinosaurs could have continued to thrive and evolve, changing our planet in ways we can’t even imagine.

Paleontologist Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh argues that dinosaurs were at their peak when the asteroid hit. Fossils show they were diverse and successful, adapting to various habitats. While this is a popular view, some scientists suggest that dinosaur extinction rates were already on the rise before the catastrophe.

Another question to consider is climate change. While many associate dinosaurs with warm, lush areas, some thrived in colder environments. Some species even had feathers, which could have helped insulate them, similar to how birds and mammals manage cold conditions today. This adaptability leads to the possibility that dinosaurs could have survived an ice age. Warm-blooded dinosaurs, like Tyrannosaurus rex, might have been able to endure extreme cold, just as mammoths did with their thick fur.

If dinosaurs had survived, they might have evolved new traits to handle the colder climate. Just as mammals developed thicker fur and fat to endure harsh weather, dinosaurs could have taken similar paths in their evolution.

A fascinating question is whether dinosaurs could have ever developed intelligence comparable to humans. One theory by paleontologist Dale Russell suggests that certain dinosaurs might have improved their cognitive abilities over time. He focused on the Troodon, a small, bird-like dinosaur with a large brain for its size and advanced vision. He even imagined a humanoid-like creature evolving from it—a “dinosauroid.” However, many scientists disagree with this notion. A recent 2023 study found that dinosaurs lacked the brain structure necessary for developing intelligence similar to primates. According to the research, dinosaurs like Troodon couldn’t have evolved into beings with human-like intelligence.

So, what about mammals? Paleontologist Paul Sereno from the University of Chicago points out that mammals evolved in a world dominated by small creatures because the large nonavian dinosaurs were gone. If dinosaurs had survived, mammals might have remained small and insignificant, reducing the likelihood of primates ever becoming the dominant species. A 2021 study supports this, indicating that the extinction of dinosaurs allowed mammals, including primates, to thrive and evolve into the species we know today.

If that asteroid had missed, our world would look very different. Dinosaurs may have adapted to various climates and evolved into new forms, ruling the Earth for millions more years. In this reality, mammals might not have grown larger or developed higher intelligence, leaving us without species like apes, dolphins, or even humans.

Brusatte sums it up well: “History would have been totally different. Our exact ancestors surely would have never had their chance to evolve.”

In an alternate world where dinosaurs roamed freely, could we have seen advanced, intelligent reptiles? We may never know. But one thing is clear: the asteroid’s impact changed the course of life on our planet in profound ways.