:''The Dinobots are an [[Autobot]] [[subgroup]] in the [[Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

:''The Dinobots are an [[Autobot]] [[subgroup]] in the [[Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

The '''Dinobots''' are a three-member subgroup consisting of the leader [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]], [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]], and [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]]. Violent and primitive, they were granted sparks by the [[Key]], and a range of combat abilities by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. While they bear the Autobot insignia, they have no interest in taking part in the Earth conflict. All they want is to live on their [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|island]], with the occasional trip to the mainland to beat the tar out of someone.

The '''Dinobots''' are a three-member subgroup consisting of the leader [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]], [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]], and [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]]. Violent and primitive, they were granted sparks by the [[Key]], and a range of combat abilities by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. While they bear the Autobot insignia, they have no interest in taking part in the Earth conflict. All they want is to live on their [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|island]], with the occasional trip to the mainland to beat the tar out of someone.

Grimlock and the Dinobots were originally animatronic [[dinosaur]] models at the [[Dino Drive]] theme park that were badly damaged by the clumsy Autobot [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]. The remains were brought to [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s lab for repair, where the disembodied Megatron took an interest in them and attempted to turn them into robotic attack drones as practice for re-creating his own body. Thusly rebuilt, the Dinobots went on a rampage at Dino Drive, but were restrained by the Autobots when [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] captured them in an electromagnetic field. When the Key reacted by tugging her toward her Autobot friends, she plugged it into Bumblebee's weapons systems to boost their powers, but this only resulted in the Dinobots being blasted with AllSpark energy. The three robots were apparently left deactivated by the blast and were returned to Sumdac's lab once more. It was there, however, that the full extent of their exposure to the AllSpark's energy was revealed, as the three Dinobots suddenly came to life!

Grimlock and the Dinobots were originally animatronic [[dinosaur]] models at the [[Dino Drive]] theme park that were badly damaged by the clumsy Autobot [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]. The remains were brought to [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s lab for repair, where the disembodied Megatron took an interest in them and attempted to turn them into robotic attack drones as practice for re-creating his own body. Thusly rebuilt, the Dinobots went on a rampage at Dino Drive, but were restrained by the Autobots when [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] captured them in an electromagnetic field. When the Key reacted by tugging her toward her Autobot friends, she plugged it into Bumblebee's weapons systems to boost their powers, but this only resulted in the Dinobots being blasted with AllSpark energy. The three robots were apparently left deactivated by the blast and were returned to Sumdac's lab once more. It was there, however, that the full extent of their exposure to the AllSpark's energy was revealed, as the three Dinobots suddenly came to life!

The ''Tyrannosaurus'' dubbed itself Grimlock and declared itself to be leader of the group, despite Megatron's attempts to give the trio orders. In contrast, the lab's other occupant, the [[Tutor Bot]], happily responded to Megatron's cries for obedience and began a lesson on dinosaurs, their connection to fossil fuels, and the use of fossil fuels in cars. The simple-minded Grimlock took this to mean that cars "ate" dinosaurs, and Megatron convinced the trio to destroy these "fossil feeders", including the only thing worse than cars...cars and trucks that turn into robots. Equipped with deadly [[fire-breath]] thanks to Megatron's enhancements, the Dinobots set about their task immediately, inevitably drawing the attention of the Autobots. At Bulkhead's suggestion, the Autobots drew them to a deserted parking lot, where the Dinobots wound up defeating themselves by melting down the lot's maccadam surface into tar and getting stuck in it.

The ''Tyrannosaurus'' dubbed itself Grimlock and declared itself to be leader of the group, despite Megatron's attempts to give the trio orders. In contrast, the lab's other occupant, the [[Tutor Bot]], happily responded to Megatron's cries for obedience and began a lesson on dinosaurs, their connection to fossil fuels, and the use of fossil fuels in cars. The simple-minded Grimlock took this to mean that cars "ate" dinosaurs, and Megatron convinced the trio to destroy these "fossil feeders", including the only thing worse than cars...cars and trucks that turn into robots. Equipped with deadly [[fire-breath]] thanks to Megatron's enhancements, the Dinobots set about their task immediately, inevitably drawing the attention of the Autobots. At Bulkhead's suggestion, the Autobots drew them to a deserted parking lot, where the Dinobots wound up defeating themselves by melting down the lot's maccadam surface into tar and getting stuck in it.