Dinosaurs: Coelophysis
Coelophysis was a small, lightly built, meat-eating
Dinosaur that lived during the late Triassic period. Coelophysis ranged in size, with adults ranging from 5 to 10 feet (1.5 -
3 m) in length. Specimens were also divided into two types - robust and
graceful. These two forms probably represented a difference between Males and
Females.
Scientists are not entirely sure which family this
Dinosaur belonged to, however it does seem to share many characteristics to
those found in Ceratosaurs, including four fingers on each hand and similar
skeletal features. Other Dinosaurs in this family included Dilophosaurus and
Ceratosaurus. Like Dilophosaurus, Coelophysis had a kinked upper jaw with a gap
between its front and back teeth.
Coelophysis long legs and hollow bone structure suggest
that it was a swift hunter. Remains of hundreds of individuals found at Ghost
Ranch in New Mexico suggest that these Dinosaurs may have hunted in packs to
bring down larger prey. Like other early meat-eating Dinosaurs, Coelophysis had
many small, sharp teeth. Fossilized remains of Coelophysis have been found
containing small reptiles, fish, and even the remains of other Coelophysis in
their stomachs indicating that they were also cannibals.
Coelophysis (Hollow Form)
Pronounced: SEEL-oh-FY-sis
Name Means: "Hollow Form"
Length: 9 feet (2.8 m)
Height: 4 feet (1.3 m)
Weight: 66 pounds (30 kg)
Diet: Carnivore (Fish, Reptiles, Meat)
Time: Late Triassic - 220 million years ago
Habitat: Dry
Savannah
Fossils Found: North America
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