Camposaurus was an early theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period in North America. Very little is known about this bipedal predator, which was discovered in Arizona, USA, as only limited fossil remains have been discovered.
Camposaurus Facts
- Type of Dinosaur: Theropod (Neotheropod)
- Diet: Carnivore
- Continent(s) Found: North America
- Length: around 2 meters (6.5 feet)
- Weight: approximately 25-30 kg (55-66 pounds)
- Period: Late Triassic
What Did Camposaurus Look Like?
Camposaurus’s appearance would have been typical of early theropods, with a lightweight, slender frame and bipedal (two-legged) stance for agility and speed. It likely had sharp, serrated teeth suited to a carnivorous diet, and its limbs were built for active hunting and movement. Its long tail would have provided balance while standing and walking.
You can find out more about theropods on this page: Types Of Dinosaurs
Specific size and weight measurements for Camposaurus are not well-documented due to the scarcity of fossils discovered. However, as a small theropod, it may have been around 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length and approximately 25-30 kg (55-66 pounds) in weight (all measurements are speculative), making it a relatively small dinosaur compared to its later relatives.
Later theropod dinosaurs, such as the mighty Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus, would grow considerably larger than their tiny ancestors.
What Does The Name Camposaurus Mean?
The name “Camposaurus” means “Camp’s Lizard.” The name was chosen to honor Dr. Charles Lewis Camp, an American paleontologist.
What Type Of Dinosaur Was Camposaurus?
Camposaurus belongs to the family Coelophysoidea, a group of theropod dinosaurs that lived from the Late Triassic to the Early Jurassic period. Other members of this group include Coelophysis and Liliensternus.
Theropods are a group of bipedal, primarily carnivorous dinosaurs that include some of the most well-known dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor.
Where Did Camposaurus Live?
Camposaurus lived in what is now North America. Its fossils have been found in the southwestern United States, in the state of Arizona.
When Did Camposaurus Live?
Camposaurus lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 228 to 201 million years ago. This period was a time of significant evolutionary development and diversification for early dinosaurs, including the theropods, which would eventually become one of the dominant groups of carnivorous dinosaurs.
What Dinosaurs And Other Animals Did Camposaurus Live With?
Other animals found in what is now North America in the Late Triassic period include:
Dinosaurs:
- Coelophysis: A small, slender theropod dinosaur, one of the earliest known and most common Triassic dinosaurs.
- Plateosaurus: A prosauropod dinosaur, which was an early herbivorous relative of the giant sauropods that would appear later.
Non-Dinosaur Reptiles:
- Postosuchus: A large, carnivorous archosaur that walked on all fours and was one of the top predators of its time.
- Desmatosuchus: An armored reptile known as an aetosaur, which was herbivorous and covered in bony plates.
Synapsids:
- Placerias: A large, herbivorous dicynodont, which was part of the group of synapsids that eventually gave rise to mammals.
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