Coelophysis was a small, agile dinosaur that lived at the start of the Age of Dinosaurs, about 220 mya.
A huge collection of Coelophysis fossils were found in the 1940s, at a place called Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
Hundreds of Coelophysis fossils were preserved together at Ghost Ranch---possibly a herd that drowned in a flood.
Coelophysis was almost 10 feet in total length. Its slim, lightweight build meant that it probably weighed 55-60 pounds.
Coelophysis belonged to the group of dinosaurs known as theropods. It most likely ate small animals such as insects, worms, and lizards.
Long, powerful back legs allowed Coelophysis to run fast.
The front limbs were like arms, each with a hand bearing three large, strong, sharp-clawed fingers for grabbing prey.
The birdlike skull was filled with small, sharp teeth.
Coelophysis means "hollow form". It was called that because some of its bones were hollow, like the bones of birds making it lightly built.
A huge collection of Coelophysis fossils were found in the 1940s, at a place called Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
Hundreds of Coelophysis fossils were preserved together at Ghost Ranch---possibly a herd that drowned in a flood.
Coelophysis was almost 10 feet in total length. Its slim, lightweight build meant that it probably weighed 55-60 pounds.
Coelophysis belonged to the group of dinosaurs known as theropods. It most likely ate small animals such as insects, worms, and lizards.
Long, powerful back legs allowed Coelophysis to run fast.
The front limbs were like arms, each with a hand bearing three large, strong, sharp-clawed fingers for grabbing prey.
The birdlike skull was filled with small, sharp teeth.
Coelophysis means "hollow form". It was called that because some of its bones were hollow, like the bones of birds making it lightly built.
