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Procompsognathus

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Procompsognathus
Temporal range: Upper Triassic
Procompsognathus triassicus
Scientific classification
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Procompsognathus
Species
  • Procompsognathus triassicus

Procompsognathus was a small, speedy theropod dinosaur. This meat-eater lived during the late Triassic period, about 210 million years ago (mya). It probably ate insects and lizards in a relatively dry, inland environment.[1]

Procompsognathus may have been about one meter long (3.3 ft),[2]

A biped, Procompsognathus had long hind legs, short arms, large clawed hands, a long slender snout with many small teeth, and a stiff tail. The tibia is approximately 20% longer than the femur in Procompsognathus. This suggests that they were good runners.[3]

References

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  1. Frances Freedman & Tony Gibbons 1997. Looking at Procompsognathus: a dinosaur from the Triassic period. Gareth Stevens, 24.
  2. Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (2011) Dinosaurs: the most complete, up-to-date encyclopedia for dinosaur lovers of all ages. Winter 2010 Appendix
  3. Coombs W.P Jr. 1978. Theoretical aspects of cursorial adaptations in dinosaurs. The Quarterly Review of Biology 53:393–418.