Ornitholestes

dinosaur · jurassic · small theropod · predator

Tiny but fierce. Ornitholestes was one of the smallest theropod dinosaurs, about the size of a large chicken. Despite its tiny size, it was a fierce predator that hunted small animals and insects.

Late Jurassic hunter. This dinosaur lived during the late Jurassic period, roughly 150 million years ago, in what is now North America and other parts of Western Laurasia.

Built for speed. Ornitholestes had long hind legs and a lightweight body, making it perfectly adapted for running quickly through forests and across open areas to chase down prey.

Grasping claws. Like other theropods, it had sharp claws on its hands and feet that it used to catch and hold onto small creatures like lizards and early mammals.