Zephyrosaurus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ZephyrosaurusTemporal range: Lower Cretaceous
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Zephyrosaurus
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| Zephyrosaurus schaffi Sues, 1980
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Zephyrosaurus was a small, plant-eating dinosaur. It was a relative of another dinosaur called Hypsilophodon. This dinosaur lived about 132 million years ago. It roamed the western part of what is now North America.
Zephyrosaurus was about 6 feet (2 meters) long. It stood about 3 feet (1 meter) tall. This made it roughly the size of a large dog.
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About Zephyrosaurus
Zephyrosaurus means "western lizard" or "west wind lizard." This name was given because its fossils were found in the western United States. The first bones of Zephyrosaurus were discovered in Montana.
What it Looked Like
Scientists have found several bones from Zephyrosaurus. These bones include parts of its skull, backbone, and limbs. From these fossils, we can learn about its appearance.
Its Head and Face
Zephyrosaurus had a unique head. It had a steep face, which means its snout sloped sharply downwards. It also had a small, raised bump on its upper jaw. Another, larger bump was found on its cheekbone. These bumps might have been for display or protection.
Moving Skull Bones
Some of the skull bones of Zephyrosaurus might have been able to move slightly. This ability is called "cranial kinesis." It means parts of the skull could move relative to each other. This might have helped the dinosaur chew its food more effectively.
Beak-like Teeth
Like other dinosaurs in its family, the Hypsilophodontidae, Zephyrosaurus had special teeth. These teeth were shaped like a beak at the front of its mouth. This beak-like structure helped it snip off plants. The teeth further back in its mouth were good for grinding tough plant material.
Where and When it Lived
Zephyrosaurus lived during the Early Cretaceous period. This was a time when many different types of dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Its fossils were found in the Cloverly Formation in Montana, USA. This area was likely a lush environment with rivers and forests back then.
Its Environment
The environment where Zephyrosaurus lived was probably warm and humid. There would have been plenty of plants for it to eat. Other dinosaurs, like large meat-eaters, would have also lived in the same area. Zephyrosaurus would have needed to be quick to escape predators.
