Final Answer:
The correct term for the reptiles that dominated the earth for over one hundred million years as depicted in "Ice Age 3" is:
c) Dinosaurs
Step-by-step explanation:
Dinosaurs, belonging to the class Reptilia, were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for a vast span of Earth's history. The term "dinosaur" is derived from the Greek words "deinos," meaning terrible, and "sauros," meaning lizard. These prehistoric creatures existed from the Triassic period, around 230 million years ago, until the end of the Cretaceous period, about 65 million years ago.
During their reign, dinosaurs exhibited remarkable diversity in size, shape, and behavior. They evolved into various species, ranging from small, feathered theropods to massive, long-necked sauropods. The extinction of dinosaurs, often attributed to a catastrophic event such as an asteroid impact, marks a significant turning point in Earth's history.
Understanding the term "dinosaur" involves recognizing their classification within the broader category of reptiles. Reptiles are characterized by features like scales, claws, and cold-blooded physiology. Dinosaurs, specifically, represent a subgroup of reptiles that played a crucial role in shaping the ecosystems of the ancient world. So option C is the correct answer.