New stamps on Dinosaurs…

 

Date of Issue : 11 August 2011

South Korea Post issued a set of four stamps and Miniature sheet  on 11 August 2011 as the second installment of the "Age of Dinosaurs Series," Jurassic dinosaurs of the Mesozoic Era .

Jurassic Period of the Mesozoic Era, which spanned about 50 million years from about 199.6 million years ago to 145.5 million years ago, refers to the period that followed the Triassic Period. In this period, giant reptiles such as dinosaurs thrived on the land, and ammonites, in the sea. In the latter part of the Jurassic Period, birds appeared for the first time, with gymnosperms like cycads and Ginkgo thriving.

Scelidosaurus
As an herbivorous dinosaur, it had a rather small head and small body, being 250 kg in weight and about 4m in height. It walked on four legs. With its hind legs being longer than the front legs, it is thought to have run with its hind legs and to have walked with its hind legs to reach and feed on the leaves of tall trees. Its most prominent body feature is the oval-shaped dermal scutes on both its back and tail. It was discovered both in the U.K. and U.S.A.

Stegosaurus
As an herbivorous dinosaur during the Late Jurassic Period spikes on its tails. Compared to its large body, its head was relatively very small, with its long hind legs and short, crooked front legs making its back crook forward. With its large body, it moved very sluggishly. It is 9 m in height and 2 tons in weight. It was discovered in the western part of the U.S.A.

Allosaurus
As a carnivorous dinosaur flourishing in the latter part of the Jurassic Period, it is known to be the fiercest predator in the North American continent. Its feature is the crests just in front of its eyes. It also had a sturdy jaw and teeth made for killing herbivorous or other carnivorous dinosaurs, as well as the hand that had sharp claws. It was 3.6 tons in weight and 14m in height. And it was discovered in the western part of the U.S., Portugal and Australia.

Dilophosarurus 
As a carnivorous dinosaur during the Early Jurassic Period, it had two crests split in the shape of a V on top of its head. Its razor-sharp teeth, long and strong legs, and long claws were perfect for hunting. Its first toe on its hand was shaped in the way to hold a prey, functioning like a thumb. It was 330~450 kg in weight, and 6~7 m in height. It was first reported in the U.S., with the possibility of having been discovered in the southern part of China being raised.