Coelophysis

dinosaur · triassic · fast hunter · theropod

Speedy hunter. Coelophysis was a theropod dinosaur built for speed, with long hind legs and a lightweight body that let it dash after smaller prey across ancient southwestern deserts.

Ancient times. This dinosaur lived approximately 215 to 201 million years ago during the late Triassic period, which makes it much older than the famous T-Rex that came much later.

Desert home. Coelophysis lived in what is now the southwestern United States, in a warm, dry landscape very different from how we see that region today.

Meat eater. As a theropod, Coelophysis was a carnivore that hunted small animals and insects, using its sharp teeth and quick reflexes to catch food.

Dog-sized dinosaur. Coelophysis was not a giant monster but more the size of a large dog, making it one of the smaller dinosaurs that walked the Earth.