Aviatyrannis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aviatyrannis |
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| Diagram of fossils assigned to Aviatyrannis | |
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Aviatyrannis
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jurassica
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Aviatyrannis is a fascinating type of meat-eating dinosaur that lived a long, long time ago. It's known as a tyrannosauroid, which means it was an early relative of the famous Tyrannosaurus rex. This dinosaur was discovered in Portugal in the year 2000 and officially got its name in 2003.
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Meet Aviatyrannis
Aviatyrannis was a carnivorous dinosaur. This means it ate meat. It belonged to a group called tyrannosauroids. These dinosaurs were known for being powerful predators.
A Relative of T. rex
Aviatyrannis is considered one of the earliest known tyrannosauroids. This group includes the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. While T. rex lived much later, Aviatyrannis helps us understand how these amazing predators evolved. It shows us the early stages of their family tree.
Life in the Late Jurassic
Aviatyrannis lived during the Late Jurassic period. Specifically, it lived during a time called the Kimmeridgian age. This was about 157 to 152 million years ago. During this time, the Earth looked very different. Dinosaurs like Aviatyrannis roamed ancient landscapes.
The fossils of Aviatyrannis were found in Portugal. This tells us that this dinosaur lived in what is now Europe. The environment back then would have been warm and lush. It likely had many plants and other dinosaurs. This provided plenty of food for a meat-eater like Aviatyrannis.
What Did It Look Like?
Scientists estimate Aviatyrannis was a medium-sized dinosaur. It was much smaller than its famous cousin, T. rex. It probably walked on two legs. Its body was built for hunting. Like other tyrannosauroids, it would have had sharp teeth. These teeth were perfect for tearing meat. Its claws would have also helped it catch prey.
Discovering Aviatyrannis
The first fossils of Aviatyrannis were found in 2000. They were discovered in Portugal. Scientists carefully studied these bones. In 2003, the dinosaur was officially named Aviatyrannis jurassica. The name Aviatyrannis means "grandmother tyrant." This name highlights its role as an early ancestor of later, larger tyrannosaurs.
Studying fossils like those of Aviatyrannis helps us learn about Earth's past. It shows us what life was like millions of years ago. Each new fossil discovery adds to our knowledge. It helps us piece together the puzzle of dinosaur evolution.
Images for kids
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Estimated size of Aviatyrannis.
See also
In Spanish: Aviatyrannis jurassica para niños
