Anchisaurus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AnchisaurusTemporal range: Lower Jurassic
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Superorder: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Infraorder: | |
| Family: |
Anchisauridae
|
| Genus: |
Anchisaurus
|
Anchisaurus was a type of dinosaur that lived during the early Jurassic period. It was a relatively small sauropod or "lizard-footed" dinosaur. These dinosaurs were known for their long necks and tails. Anchisaurus lived in what is now North America.
Contents
Meet Anchisaurus
Anchisaurus means "near lizard." This name was given because scientists first thought it was a type of lizard. Later, they realized it was a dinosaur. It was one of the first dinosaurs ever found in North America.
What Was Anchisaurus Like?
Anchisaurus was not as huge as some of the later sauropods, like Brachiosaurus. It was about 2 to 2.5 meters (6.5 to 8 feet) long. This is roughly the size of a large deer. It weighed around 27 to 34 kilograms (60 to 75 pounds).
- Body Shape: Anchisaurus had a long neck and a long tail. Its body was somewhat slender.
- Legs: It could walk on all four legs. But it might have been able to stand on its two hind legs to reach higher leaves. Its front legs were shorter than its back legs.
- Hands and Feet: It had five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot. One of its fingers had a large claw. This claw might have been used for defense or for grabbing branches.
What Did It Eat?
Scientists believe Anchisaurus was mainly a herbivore. This means it ate plants. Its teeth were shaped like spoons, which were good for stripping leaves from branches. It probably ate ferns, cycads, and other plants common during the Jurassic period.
Where and When Did It Live?
Anchisaurus lived during the early Jurassic period. This was about 200 to 190 million years ago. Its fossils have been found in the eastern part of North America. Most discoveries have been in the state of Connecticut, United States.
Anchisaurus in Media
Anchisaurus has appeared in popular culture. For example, it was shown in the movie When Dinosaurs Roamed America. In the film, it was depicted as prey for other dinosaurs. This shows how it fit into the ancient food web.
Images for kids
-
Anchisaurus skeleton restoration by O. C. Marsh.
-
Size of Anchisaurus, compared to a human.
-
Restoration by Lancelot Speed from 1905
-
Right hind foot of Ammosaurus major, now known to have been a synonym of Anchisaurus polyzeus
See also
In Spanish: Anchisaurus polyzelus para niños
