Compsognathus

Name: Compsognathus

Pronounced: Komp-sog-NATH-us

Meaning: pretty jaw

Type: Small Theropod

Length: 0.65m

Diet: Carnivore

Period: Late Jurassic

Years: 145 - 140 million years ago

Location: Germany, France

Description: Compsognathus is a genus of small, bipedal dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic Period, about 150-145 million years ago. It was a member of the group of dinosaurs called theropods, which also includes species such as Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor. Compsognathus was a small, agile dinosaur, with an estimated length of about 2-3 feet and a weight of about 5-10 pounds. It had a small, triangular head with sharp teeth and powerful jaw muscles, as well as long, slender legs and a long, whip-like tail. Its body was probably covered in a layer of feathers. Compsognathus is known from a number of well-preserved fossil specimens, including several partial skeletons and skulls, which have helped paleontologists learn more about the anatomy and behavior of this dinosaur. It is considered a primitive theropod, and is thought to be closely related to other early theropods such as Eoraptor and Chindesaurus. Compsognathus is known from Europe, and is named after the Greek words 'compsos,' meaning 'elegant,' and 'gnathos,' meaning 'jaw,' in reference to its small, delicate skull and jaw bones. It is thought to have been an opportunistic predator, feeding on a variety of small prey including lizards, mammals, and other dinosaurs.

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