Prehistoric life
Coelophysis were one of the earliest of the meat-eating dinosaurs from the late Triassic period. Analysis of the numerous well-preserved skeletons found in a quarry in New Mexico has suggested that Coelophysis were small, yet fast and agile predators, powered by strong hind limbs and aided by a long, slender tail. The long jaw was filled with typical meat-eater's teeth: sharp, serrated and blade-like. Small animals would have been hunted by sight as Coelophysis had relatively large eyes. So many skeletons all found together suggests they may have lived or hunted in packs.
In order to see this content you need to have an up-to-date version of Flash installed and Javascript turned on.
Dinosaur attack
Adult Cynodonts leave the nest to hunt, leaving their vulnerable pups.
Adult Cynodonts leave the nest to hunt, leaving their vulnerable pups.
Ancient reptiles
Plodding Placerias are in decline in the Triassic era as dinosaurs begin the rise to the top.
Plodding Placerias are in decline in the Triassic era as dinosaurs begin the rise to the top.
Hungry mouths
A flock of Coelophysis takes advantage of a once mighty, dying Postosuchus.
A flock of Coelophysis takes advantage of a once mighty, dying Postosuchus.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Discover the other animals and plants that lived during the following geological time periods.
Desert EarthHolozoa
Coelophysis ( /ˌsɛlɵˈfaɪsɨs/ or /ˌsiːlɵˈfaɪsɨs/), meaning "hollow form" in reference to its hollow bones (Greek κοιλος/koilos meaning 'hollow' and φυσις/physis meaning 'form'), is one of the earliest known genera of dinosaur. It was a small, carnivorous biped that lived during the Late Triassic (Norian stage) of the southwestern United States, with scattered material representing similar animals to Coelophysis found worldwide in some Late Triassic and Early Jurassic formations.
The type species, C. bauri, was described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1889. The name Rioarribasaurus is synonymous with Coelophysis. Another dinosaur, Megapnosaurus, is also often considered synonymous with Coelophysis.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the user-contributed encyclopedia. If you find the content in the 'About' section factually incorrect, defamatory or highly offensive you can edit this article at Wikipedia. For more information on our use of Wikipedia please read our FAQ.
BBC © 2012 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Carnivorous
Egg layer
Pack-hunter
Predator
Social
Adapted to running
Scavenger
Sexual dimorphism
