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Compsognathus
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Compsognathus was a carnivore (meat-eater) that lived in
Europe
(fossils have been found in
Germany and
France)
during the late Jurassic period,
about 155 to 145 million years ago.
Compsognathus is smallest known dinosaur, and was about the size of a chicken. It was 2½ to 4½ feet (0.7 to 1.4 meters) long,
and weighed about 6 to 7 pounds (about 3 kilograms). It is believed to be the closest known of relative
of the early bird, Archaeopteryx.
Compsognathus was a fast-runner and used its speed when hunting lizards, insects and other small animals.
Compsognathus is known from two near complete skeletons that were found in
Germany and
France.
The German specimen was discovered by Joseph
Oberndorfer in Bavarian limestone deposits in the 1850s (where
well-preserved
Archaeopteryx specimens have also been found).
Johann A. Wagner described the specimen in papers in 1859 and 1861,
and called it Compsognathus longipes. In 1868, Thomas Huxley
hypothesized that the creature was closely related to dinosaurs, and in
1896
Othniel C. Marsh
recognized that Compsognathus was in fact a dinosaur.
The French specimen of Compsognathus was discovered in
1972,
and although this was originally thought to be a separate species,
it was later realized that the German specimen was a juvenile member of the
same species.
Compsognathus was a carnivore (meat-eater) that lived from 155 to 145 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Compsognathus Facts
Here is a summary of some of the key facts about Compsognathus:
- Compsognathus was a genus of dinosaur.
- "Compsognathus" means "dainty jaw".
- Compsognathus was a member of the Saurischia ("lizard-hipped") order of dinosaurs. What this means, is that although Compsognathus was not closely related to lizards, it did have similarly shaped pelvic bones.
- Compsognathus was a Theropod - a member of a group of related bipedal dinosaurs that included the ancestors of birds (although Compsognathus was not itself an ancestor of birds).
- Compsognathus lived between about 155 million years ago and 145 million years ago, during the Jurassic period.
- Compsognathus lived in Europe.
- Compsognathus was a carnivore (meat-eater). Compsognathus's diet is known to have included small agile lizards, as fossilized remains of stomach contents have been found.
- Compsognathus was about 2½ feet (0.7 meters) to 4½ feet (1.4 meters) long.
- Compsognathus weighed about 6 or 7 pounds (about 3 kilograms).
Compsognathus Pictures and Posters
by AllPosters
Here are some Compsognathus pictures and posters:
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Compsognathus Books
Here are some books from Amazon.com:
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By Susan Heinrichs Gray
Child's World
Hardcover (32 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $27.07*
Lowest New Price: $9.95*
Lowest Used Price: $4.95*
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.*
*(As of 13:56 Pacific 12 Mar 2010 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description:
We think of dinosaurs as big and ferocious. Yet the name Compsognathus means "pretty jaw!" Learn about this strange little dinosaur, from its life in the Jurassic period millions of years ago to the first discovery of its delicate fossil in Germany. |
|
By Michael P. Goecke
Buddy Books
Library Binding (32 pages; 1)
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By Richard Addison
Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd
Paperback (32 pages)
 | |
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By Elizabeth J. Sandell
Bancroft-Sage Publishing
Paperback (32 pages; 1)
| List Price: $7.95*
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Click Here | Product Description:
Describes Compsognathus, the dinosaur that was only the size of a modern chicken, and the prehistoric world of dinosaurs in general. |
|
By Janet Riehecky
Childs World
Library Binding (32 pages; 1)
| List Price: $21.36*
Lowest New Price: $5.00*
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Click Here | Product Description:
Describes both known and hypothesized information about the dinosaur Compsognathus, including physical appearance and lifestyle. |
|
By Janet Riehecky
Childs World
Library Binding (32 pages)
| List Price: $21.36*
Lowest New Price: $11.71*
Lowest Used Price: $17.69*
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Click Here |
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By Robert Kanner
Dingles/Treehouse Court
School & Library Binding (40 pages; 1)
| List Price: $23.95*
Lowest New Price: $18.68*
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.*
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Click Here |
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By Robert Kanner
Dingles/Treehouse Court
School & Library Binding (40 pages)
| List Price: $23.95*
Lowest New Price: $18.68*
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.*
*(As of 13:56 Pacific 12 Mar 2010 More Info)
Click Here |
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Bancroft Sage Pub
Paperback
| |
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By Henderson
Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd
Paperback
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