The amount of fossilized skin uncovered to date is extremely small, and most of our ideas of dinosaur skin come from extrapolation from modern reptiles. The chances of all dinosaurs having the same skin is probably small, since, over millions of years, these animals adapted to their environment and specialized needs.

Today’s reptiles do not have the same types of skin, either. Reptilian skins vary from a lizard’s protective covering of scales or plates to the hard bony shell of turtles—all different adaptations to their specific needs and environments.