Coelurus facts for kids

Coelurus (say: See-LOO-rus) is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. This was about 153 to 150 million years ago. Its name means "hollow tail." This is because its tail bones were hollow.

For a long time, scientists didn't know much about Coelurus. It was sometimes mixed up with another dinosaur called Ornitholestes.

Only one species of Coelurus is known today. It is called C. fragilis. This dinosaur was first described by a scientist named Othniel Charles Marsh in 1879.

What Was Coelurus Like?

Scientists found a partial skeleton of Coelurus in Wyoming, United States. This fossil was in a rock layer called the Morrison Formation.

Coelurus was a small dinosaur. It walked on two legs, which means it was bipedal. Its legs were long, helping it to move quickly.

What Did Coelurus Eat?

Coelurus was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. It was a hunter that lived on land. Scientists believe it ate small animals. These might have included insects, tiny mammals, and lizards. Because of its long legs, Coelurus was probably a very fast runner.

Images for kids

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  Restoration

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  Othniel Charles Marsh's illustration of Coelurus vertebrae from 1884

See also

In Spanish: Coelurus fragilis para niños