But I rather like the idea of a dating profile for a dinosaur. So, in a fit of caffeine-induced absurdity, I decided to write one myself.

T. REX

Hell Creek Formation, last active 66 million years ago.

Likes: Snout-rubbing and raw Edmontosaurus steak dinners.

Dislikes: Triceratops, asteroids. I might be big, but I'm light on my feet; these bones are hollow. Don't let my tiny hands fool you - I've been called a sensitive lover.

Ms Sarah Kaplan, writer for The Washington Post

But a dating app is no use to a lonely dino if he is the only one on it. So I e-mailed some paleontologists and asked whether they would be willing to create a profile for their favourite dinosaurs. Turns out, crafting a profile that would charm a dinosaur is even harder than trying to date a human. There is a lot that scientists do not know about dinosaur lifestyles - whether a given species lived in herds or alone, how often they mated and with whom and whether they cared for their young - so it is hard to tell what would appeal to them. But paleontologists are a pretty resourceful, not to mention hilarious (and surprisingly raunchy) bunch. Here is how they would attempt to woo a dinosaur mate. Which would you swipe right on?

DREADNOUGHTUS SCHRANI

One of history's largest land animals, this gigantic South American sauropod was discovered in 2014.

Full-bodied sauropod, enjoys standing and eating. Turnoffs: Interrupting me while I'm eating; gravity. If you're into doing terrible things to ferns, drop me a line and we'll defoliate together.

Dr Kenneth Lacovara, paleontologist at Rowan University

PARASAUROLOPHUS WALKERI

A North American duck-billed dinosaur that may have produced a swan-like honk and an elaborate head crest used for resonating. I'll sing you a song of the dinoland. Applying for Julliard next year.

Ms Carrie Levitt-Bussian, paleontology collections manager at the Natural History Museum of Utah

OVIRAPTOR

A genus of small bird-like dinosaurs that lived in Mongolia during the late Cretaceous Period. Looking for my partner in crime. Love to run, hunt and currently working on some mating rituals. I consider myself a feminist - I have no problem brooding eggs while you're out.

Dr Eric Gorscak, paleontologist at Field Museum of Natural History

VELOCIRAPTOR

A genus of small, swift, probably feathered dinosaurs. Looking for a "clever girl"? I'm small but fierce and on the hunt for a mate. Serious applicants only. Mess with me and I'll bring out the claws.

Mr Brian Cleveland, copy editor for The Washington Post