Coelophysis

Name meaning: Horned Lizard

Time Period: Kimmeridgian to Tithonian (Late Jurassic)

Locations: Colorado Morrison formation, Portugal

Taxonomy: Theropoda-Ceratosauria-Neoceratosauria-Ceratosauridae

Subspecies: C. nasicornis Controversial: C. dentisulcatus C. magnicornis

Characteristics ~ ~ ~ ~

Coelophysis is the premier Triassic Dinosaur, at only 3m long at only 1m tall. Coelophysis seems like a humble beginning when compared to the later dinosaurs that would rule the world. Coelophysis was lightly built and narrow. Its name Coelophysis “Hollow Form’ refers to its leg bones, which were hollow like birds and were capable of running at speeds of around 25 miles per hour. Their diets consisted of small reptiles, basal mammals, and unguarded carrion. Other animals that live with it are: Plateosaurus, Postosuchus, and Desmatosuchus Some other dinosaurs closely related to Coelophysis include Megapnosaurus, Procompsognathus, Segisaurus

History ~ ~ ~ ~

Coelophysis was discovered all the way back in 1889 by Edward Drinker Cope. A misconception that Coelophysis was a cannibal arose when a Coelophysis was fossilized with a small reptile within it, which was misidentified as a juvenile Coelophysis. However, it is still a possibility that it may have cannibalized in rough circumstances; other larger dinosaurs such as Majungasaurus and Allosaurus have been found with supporting evidence for canibalism.

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