Coelophysis

Coelophysis was small, growing up to about 3 metres (9.8 feet) long. It weighed only about 18 to 23 kg (40 to 50 pounds).12

Coelophysis was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. It probably hunted small, fast animals like lizards and early mammal relatives.12

Coelophysis lived during the Late Triassic period, about 215 to 201 million years ago.1

Coelophysis fossils have been found in the southwestern United States, especially in New Mexico. Similar animals have been found in South Africa and Zimbabwe.13

Coelophysis was a fast, agile runner, but scientists don't know its exact speed. It had long legs and a light body to help it run quickly.13

The name Coelophysis means 'hollow form', because its limb bones were hollow. This made its body light and helped it be a swift hunter.3

Scientists don't know for sure if Coelophysis had feathers. No feathers have been found with its fossils, but some related dinosaurs may have had them.1

Coelophysis was about 3 metres (9.8 feet) long, which is longer than a human is tall, but it was very light, weighing only about 18 to 23 kg (40 to 50 pounds).12

There is no evidence that Coelophysis could swim. It was a land-dwelling dinosaur that ran on two legs.1

Yes, Coelophysis is a dinosaur. It was a small theropod dinosaur, which means it was a meat-eating dinosaur that walked on two legs.13