Staurikosaurus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids StaurikosaurusTemporal range: Upper Triassic, 225 mya
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†Staurikosaurus
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Staurikosaurus was a type of dinosaur that lived a very long time ago, during the Upper Triassic period. This was about 225 million years ago! Its fossils have been found in Brazil.
Staurikosaurus was a small, light-weight carnivore, meaning it ate meat. We don't find many fossils of Staurikosaurus. This might be because it wasn't very common when it was alive. Or, it could be because it lived in places like forests, where it's harder for animal remains to turn into fossils.
What Did Staurikosaurus Look Like?
Staurikosaurus was quite small, especially compared to bigger, later theropod dinosaurs like Megalosaurus. It was about 2.25 meters (7.4 feet) long and only 80 centimeters (31 inches) tall. It weighed around 30 kilograms (66 pounds).
Even though its fossils are rare, we know a lot about its legs. Staurikosaurus was a very fast runner for its size. It had a simple bone structure in its lower back, with only two bones connecting its hips to its spine.
Scientists believe Staurikosaurus ate meat because of the shape of its teeth.
Staurikosaurus's Tail
The tail of Staurikosaurus was quite long. It had more than 40 bones in its tail! This long tail was held straight out behind its body, off the ground, when it ran.
The back part of its tail was stiff. This stiffness helped the dinosaur keep its balance when it was running fast or jumping. It acted like a dynamic stabilizer, helping it move quickly and steadily.
See also
In Spanish: Staurikosaurus pricei para niños
Images for kids
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Size comparison between Staurikosaurus and a human
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Paleoart of Staurikosaurus.
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Reconstructed skeleton showing known remains in white, and unknown in gray
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Restored skeleton
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Restoration of Staurikosaurus pricei
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Femur and tibia holotype of Teyuwasu barberenai (BSPG AS XXV 53).
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Staurikosaurus with a rhynchosaur
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Staurikosaurus and rhynchosaur at Canela, Brazil
