One of the very first dinosaurs, Coelophysis was known to have lived more than 210 million years ago. in 1947, scientist found more than a hundred skeletons at Ghost Ranch, New mexico. There were many animals of different ages, and they ranged between 3 feet and 10 feet in length. This discovery has led scientists to believe that thye lived in colonies and wandered about in large herds.

Coelophysis was a nimble dinosaur and could probably run very fast. It had slim legs, a long neck and tail and a pointed head with sharp teeth. Feeding on a diet of meat, Coelophysis had three fingers on each hand and a strong muscle joining its hips to its spine. This muscle probably enabled it to twist and turn as it ran, chasing small animals on which it fed.

Some fossil remains of a Coelophysis show babies inside what would have its stomach. This causes some people to wonder if they were cannibals, eating their young when other food got scarce. Some scientists think they gave birth to live young. Other dinosaurs laid eggs.

Location: USA

Diet: Small vertebrates

Size: Length 3m (10ft)

      Weight 27kg (60lb)

Classification:

Family Coelophysidae

Infraorder Ceratosauria

Suborder Theropoda

Order Saurischia