Dysalotosaurus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dysalotosaurus |
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| D. lettowvorbecki skeleton in Berlin | |
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Dysalotosaurus
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lettowvorbecki
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Dysalotosaurus was a small plant-eating ornithopod dinosaur that lived in forests around 150 million years ago. This dinosaur walked on two legs and was known for its quick movements.
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Meet Dysalotosaurus
Dysalotosaurus means "unseizable lizard," which might refer to how hard it was to catch! This dinosaur lived during the Upper Jurassic period, about 152 to 151 million years ago. Its fossils have been found in what is now Tanzania, Africa.
What Did Dysalotosaurus Look Like?
Dysalotosaurus was a relatively small dinosaur. It was about 4.2 meters (13.8 feet) long and weighed around 200 kilograms (440 pounds). It had a light build, which suggests it was a fast runner. Its teeth were perfect for munching on plants.
Where Did Dysalotosaurus Live?
This dinosaur lived in ancient forests in Africa. The area where its fossils were found, called the Tendaguru Formation, was once a lush environment with rivers and floodplains. It shared its home with many other dinosaurs, including giant long-necked sauropods and fierce meat-eaters.
Dysalotosaurus in the Dinosaur Family Tree
Dysalotosaurus belongs to a group of dinosaurs called Ornithopoda. These were plant-eating dinosaurs that often walked on two legs.
The Dryosauridae Family
Dysalotosaurus is part of the family known as Dryosauridae. Think of this family as a branch on the dinosaur family tree. Dinosaurs in this group were generally small to medium-sized and known for their speed. They lived from the Middle Jurassic to the Lower Cretaceous periods.
Ancestors of Iguanodons
The Dryosauridae, including Dysalotosaurus, are considered ancestors or early relatives of larger, more famous dinosaurs like the Iguanodon. This means they shared some common features and helped show how these dinosaur groups evolved over millions of years.
Images for kids
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Side view of a Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki skeleton.
See also
In Spanish: Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki para niños
