Proceratosaurus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ProceratosaurusTemporal range: Middle Jurassic
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Fossil
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Tyrannosauroidea
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Proceratosauridae
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Proceratosaurus
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Proceratosaurus was a small dinosaur that lived about 165 million years ago. This was during the Middle Jurassic period. Its fossils were found in Gloucestershire, England, in 1910. Proceratosaurus was a meat-eating dinosaur, also known as a theropod.
At first, scientists thought Proceratosaurus was an early relative of Ceratosaurus. But later, they learned it was actually an ancestor of a group called coelurosaurs. This means it was an early relative of famous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus! These bigger relatives lived much later, during the Upper Cretaceous period.
This dinosaur was about 3 meters (10 feet) long. It weighed up to 60 kilograms (132 pounds). That's about the size of a large dog!
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Discovery and Naming
The first Proceratosaurus fossil was found in 1910. It was discovered in a clay pit in Minchinhampton, England. The fossil was a skull, which is the head bone.
The dinosaur was named in 1926 by a scientist named Friedrich von Huene. He gave it the name Proceratosaurus. The name means "before Ceratosaurus". This was because he first thought it was an early form of Ceratosaurus.
What Proceratosaurus Looked Like
Proceratosaurus had a unique skull. It had a small, bony crest on its nose. This crest was not very big. Scientists think it might have been used for display. Perhaps it helped them recognize each other.
Its teeth were sharp and curved. This was perfect for catching and eating meat. Like other theropods, it walked on two legs. It had strong legs and sharp claws.
Its Place in the Dinosaur Family Tree
Proceratosaurus is part of a group called Tyrannosauroidea. This group includes the famous Tyrannosaurus rex. Proceratosaurus is one of the earliest known members of this group.
It helps us understand how tyrannosaurs evolved. It shows that early tyrannosaurs were small. They lived much earlier than the giant ones we often think about.
Where it Lived
Proceratosaurus lived in what is now England. During the Middle Jurassic, this area was likely a warm, lush environment. There would have been many plants and other animals. This provided plenty of food for a meat-eating dinosaur.
Images for kids
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1910 lithograph of the holotype skull and close ups of its teeth and hyoid
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Estimated size compared to a human
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Skull seen from the left
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Skull diagram showing missing parts in white
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Life restoration showing hypothetical complete crest-shape, similar to that of the related Guanlong
See also
In Spanish: Proceratosaurus bradleyi para niños
