Fabrosaurus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids FabrosaurusTemporal range: Lower Jurassic, 199–189
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Fabrosaurus
Ginsburg, 1964
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Fabrosaurus was a small, early dinosaur that ate plants. It lived in Africa during the Lower Jurassic period, which was about 199 to 189 million years ago. We don't know much about Fabrosaurus because scientists have only found a small part of its jaw. Because of this, some scientists are not sure if Fabrosaurus is a separate type of dinosaur, or if it's actually the same as another dinosaur called Lesothosaurus.
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What Was Fabrosaurus?
Fabrosaurus was a small dinosaur. Scientists believe it was only about 1 meter (3.3 feet) long. That's roughly the size of a small dog! It walked on two legs, like many other early dinosaurs.
Its Diet
Fabrosaurus was a herbivore, which means it only ate plants. Its teeth were shaped for grinding tough plant material. This was very different from meat-eating dinosaurs, which had sharp, pointed teeth.
Its Appearance
Since only a jawbone has been found, we can only guess what Fabrosaurus looked like. However, based on similar dinosaurs, it probably had a small head, a short neck, and a long tail to help it balance. Its body was likely light and agile, allowing it to move quickly.
Where Did Fabrosaurus Live?
Fabrosaurus lived in what is now southern Africa. Specifically, its fossil was found in Lesotho. During the Lower Jurassic period, this area had a warm climate. It was likely covered in forests and open plains, providing plenty of plants for dinosaurs like Fabrosaurus to eat.
The Jurassic Period
The Jurassic period was a time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. It lasted from about 201 to 145 million years ago. The Lower Jurassic, when Fabrosaurus lived, was the beginning of this amazing dinosaur age. Many different types of dinosaurs started to appear during this time.
How Do We Know About Fabrosaurus?
Scientists learn about dinosaurs by studying their fossils. For Fabrosaurus, the main fossil found is a piece of its jaw. This jawbone was discovered in 1964 by a scientist named Leonard Ginsburg.
The Mystery of Fabrosaurus
Because so little of Fabrosaurus has been found, it's considered a "dubious genus". This means that scientists are not completely sure if it's a unique type of dinosaur. Some think the jawbone might belong to Lesothosaurus, another small, plant-eating dinosaur from the same time and place. If more fossils are found in the future, they might help solve this mystery!
Fabrosaurus and Its Relatives
Fabrosaurus belongs to a group of dinosaurs called Ornithischia. This group includes many famous plant-eating dinosaurs, like Stegosaurus and Triceratops. Ornithischian dinosaurs are known for having a hip structure similar to that of birds, even though they are not directly related to birds.
Early Ornithischians
Fabrosaurus is one of the earliest known Ornithischian dinosaurs. Studying early dinosaurs like Fabrosaurus helps scientists understand how these amazing creatures evolved and spread across the Earth.
See also
- Fabrosaurus australis para niños (Information in Spanish)
