Answer
Apart from aerodynamics, feathers help modern birds to keep warm. They are also integral in many birds' reproductive selection (the mating processes). Though it is not entirely known why dinosaurs had feathers, it's possible that feathers may have helped dinosaurs defend themselves in some way. Dinosaurs may also have used feathers to maintain body temperature and the temperature of eggs. The feathers may also have served as a protective layer around the dinosaurs, one that protected the animals from allergens, dust, etc. In terms of testing these hypotheses, it's very difficult to do so as dinosaurs are extinct and can therefore not be tested or observed. However, specific animals and/or birds that exist that bare resemblance to ancient dinosaurs may be studied and observed to help gain some insight into these hypotheses. These animals (such as bats) should be observed and experimented on to either confirm or deny any of the aforementioned hypotheses. This can help to gain some insight into why dinosaurs may have had feathers.
Work Step by Step
Apart from aerodynamics, feathers help modern birds to keep warm. They are also integral in many birds' reproductive selection (the mating processes). Though it is not entirely known why dinosaurs had feathers, it's possible that feathers may have helped dinosaurs defend themselves in some way. Dinosaurs may also have used feathers to maintain body temperature and the temperature of eggs. The feathers may also have served as a protective layer around the dinosaurs, one that protected the animals from allergens, dust, etc. In terms of testing these hypotheses, it's very difficult to do so as dinosaurs are extinct and can therefore not be tested or observed. However, specific animals and/or birds that exist that bare resemblance to ancient dinosaurs may be studied and observed to help gain some insight into these hypotheses. These animals (such as bats) should be observed and experimented on to either confirm or deny any of the aforementioned hypotheses. This can help to gain some insight into why dinosaurs may have had feathers.
