Coelophysis bauri
- "hollow form"
- Late Triassic
- 10 feet long
- 30 - 60 pounds

Coelphysis is one of the oldest known dinosaurs, having lived in the late Triassic period about 200 million years ago, when the land was dominated by non-dinosaur herbivores and carnivores, like the 2,000 pound crocodile-like phytosaurus Postosuchus. [Photo and info of Postosuchus coming soon.] Still, Coelophysis is the shape of things to come: It is Coelophysis and not its competitors or predators that exhibits the basic anatomical design that would survive and flourish and rise to dominate the land for the next 140 to 160 million years--the basic plan that would well serve dinosaur predators in the long domination of the land in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods--a long head filled with sharp, serrated teeth; a lithe body; and two long legs build for running fast and held directly underneath the body.

Coelophysis though small and lightly built, was a capable predator with powerful jaws and teeth well suited for both smaller and larger prey. The teeth at the front of the mouth were especially conical and good for piercing and holding small animals, while the teeth along the sides of the jaw are serrated, robust blades well suited for tackling large prey, which packs of Coelophysis probably overwhelmed with speed and repeated slashing bites.

Coelophysis means "hollow form," from a reference to its many bones that are hollow to save weight without sacrificing strength. This hollowness of the skeleton is very common in dinosaurs, especially theropods, of which [i]Coelophysis[i/] is the oldest known from complete remains.

Continued here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6202289

From the Dinosaur Walk Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

~ harui