Procompsognathus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ProcompsognathusTemporal range: Upper Triassic
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Procompsognathus triassicus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Superorder: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: |
Coelophysidae
|
| Genus: |
Procompsognathus
|
| Species | |
|
|
Procompsognathus was a small, fast-moving dinosaur that lived a very long time ago. It was a type of theropod, which means it was a meat-eater. This dinosaur roamed the Earth during the late Triassic period, about 210 million years ago. Imagine a world where dinosaurs were just starting to become common! Procompsognathus likely hunted insects and small lizards in dry, inland areas.
What it Looked Like
Procompsognathus was quite small, probably only about one meter (or 3.3 feet) long. That's about the size of a small dog!
This dinosaur walked on two legs, just like humans do. Scientists call this "bipedal". It had strong back legs that were much longer than its front arms. Its hands had large claws, which were probably great for catching prey. Procompsognathus also had a long, thin snout filled with many tiny teeth, perfect for grabbing insects. Its tail was stiff, which would have helped it balance while running.
Built for Speed
One interesting thing about Procompsognathus is that its lower leg bone (the tibia) was about 20% longer than its upper leg bone (the femur). This special leg structure suggests that Procompsognathus was a very good runner. Being fast would have helped it chase down its prey and escape from bigger predators.
Images for kids
-
Life restoration
-
Outdated model
See also
In Spanish: Procompsognathus triassicus para niños
