Living: The Compsognathus lived on the same islands with a dry climate, as the first known bird, the Archaeopteryx. These skeletons looked so alike, that the scientists mistook the Compsognathus to actually be an Archaeopteryx, until they noticed the small marks of feathers beside the Archaeopteryx. There has only been found two Compsognathus-skeletons: One in southern Germany, which is as the size of a chicken, and one in southern France as big as a turkey. In spite of its small size, this dinosaur could have been the largest dinosaur on the islands. These islands could not have space for many plants, so the vegetarians did not get enough food. That made it easier for the flesh-eaters to catch them. The Compsognathus could run up a lizard, and probably also surprise and hunt down an Archaeopteryx. In the morning the tired lizards have been an easy prey. The dinosaurs have hunted down their victims, held them in their hands and bit them. The Compsognathus’ claws have not been sharp enough to kill the lizard, and maybe some of the smaller animals have been swallowed in one piece. Its very slim body and long thin tail was perfect in the woods when it was hunting.
Front legs: The Compsognathus’ front legs had only two fingers on each hand, and the scientists once mistook its fingers to be flippers.
