Ask AI: What if troodonts had survived the KPG extinction 66 million years ago?

If troodonts—an extinct group of bird-like theropod dinosaurs—had survived the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event 66 million years ago, it could have led to several fascinating hypothetical scenarios regarding the evolution of life on Earth. Here are some potential implications: 1. **Continuation of Dinosaur Evolution:** - Troodonts, known for their relatively large brains and bird-like features, might have continued to evolve, possibly developing even more advanced cognitive abilities. This could have led to a diverse range of highly intelligent dinosaur species, potentially filling ecological niches similar to those occupied by mammals today. 2. **Competition with Mammals:** - The survival of troodonts would have meant additional competition for mammals, which were just beginning to diversify and expand into various ecological roles after the extinction event. This could have slowed the rise of mammals and possibly hindered the evolutionary trajectory that led to the dominance of mammals, including primates and eventually humans. 3. **Avian Evolution:** - Birds are the only surviving lineage of dinosaurs, and their evolution could have been significantly influenced by the presence of advanced non-avian dinosaurs like troodonts. The competition and interaction between these groups could have resulted in a vastly different array of bird species than we see today. 4. **Changes in Ecosystems:** - The presence of troodonts would have affected the structure and dynamics of ecosystems. They might have become apex predators or occupied other key roles within various ecosystems, influencing the evolution of other flora and fauna. 5. **Potential for Sentience:** - Given their relatively large brains and complex behaviors, troodonts could have continued to evolve higher levels of intelligence. This raises the intriguing possibility that a non-mammalian species, resembling dinosaurs, could have developed sentient or even technologically advanced civilizations, fundamentally altering the course of planetary history. Overall, the survival of troodonts would have introduced a complex range of variables into the evolutionary equation, potentially creating a very different world than the one we know today. Their impact on biodiversity, ecological dynamics, and the evolutionary paths of various species—particularly mammals—would have shaped the planet in ways that we can only speculate about.