Coelophysis

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Coelophysis Timeline:

Coelophysis was a carnivore (meat-eater) that lived from 225 to 220 million years ago

Related Information & Resources

• Coelophysis Pictures
  
  
• Dinosaur Names
  
  
• Dinosaur Types
  
  
• North American Dinosaurs - Coelophysis lived in North America.
  
  
• Saurischian Dinosaurs
  
  
• Theropod Dinosaurs
  
  
• Triassic Period - Coelophysis lived between about 225 million years ago and 220 million years ago, during the Triassic period

Coelophysis Facts

Here is a summary of some of the key facts about Coelophysis: Coelophysis was a genus of dinosaur. "Coelophysis" means "hollow form" (referring to its hollow bones). This name was chosen by Edward D. Cope in 1889. Coelophysis was a member of the Saurischia ("lizard-hipped") order of dinosaurs. What this means, is that although Coelophysis was not closely related to lizards, it did have similarly shaped pelvic bones. Coelophysis was a Theropod - a member of a group of related bipedal dinosaurs that included the ancestors of birds (although Coelophysis was not itself an ancestor of birds). Coelophysis lived between about 225 million years ago and 220 million years ago, during the Triassic period. Coelophysis lived in North America. Coelophysis was a carnivore (meat-eater). Coelophysis may have been a cannibal. The evidence for this is fossilized remains of supposedly juvenile animals found "within" larger animals. However, in recent years, a number of scientists argue that such evidence has been misinterpreted, and there is no reason to believe that Coelophysis was a cannibal. Coelophysis was about 8 feet (2.4 meters) to 10 feet (3 meters) tall. Coelophysis weighed about 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Coelophysis is the official state fossil of New Mexico.

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