Jurassic Park shmurassik Park– if you wish to take a look at some real old-school dinosaurs, the Triassic is where its at.
The Triassic was a time of transformation and environmental recovery after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction occasion. Covering from 252 to 200 million years earlier, the Triassic is acknowledged for its varied reptilian life. Dinosaurs only began to emerge towards completion of this period, paving the way for the giants of the Jurassic to emerge.
Lets take a look at these ancient beasts and explore the most well-known Triassic dinosaurs.
1. Coelophysis: “Hollow Form”
FamilyCoelophysidaeFound inGhost Ranch, New MexicoDietCarnivorousLived202– 196 myaLength3 mHeight0.6 mWeight estimate20 kg
Artists reconstruction of Coelophysis, Credit: Camus Altamirano/DeviantArt
Coelophysis, a slender, bipedal carnivore from the Late Triassic, was one of the earliest recognized meat-eating theropods. Discovered in New Mexico, this 3-meter-long dinosaur was identified by hollow bones and a lightweight structure, for this reason the dinosaurs name “Hollow Form”.
2. Plateosaurus: “Flat Lizard”
3 mWeight estimate
Artists reconstruction of Plateosaurus, Credit: Camus Altamirano/DeviantArt
On the herbivorous side, the Late Triassic Plateosaurus roamed Central and Northern Europe around 214 to 204 million years back. Its only the fifth called legitimate dinosaur genus. Plateosaurus adults could differ in size from 4.8 up to 10 m in length and from 600 up to 4,000 kg in weight.
3. Herrerasaurus: “Herreras Lizard”
FamilyHerrerasauridaeFound inSanta Maria Formation, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDietCarnivorousLived225 myaLength6 mHeight1 mWeight estimate350 kg
Artists reconstruction of Herrerasaurus, Credit: Camus Altamirano/DeviantArt
Herrerasaurus, a primitive Late Triassic dinosaur from Argentina, was among the earliest dinosaurs. Found in 1958, it measured about 6 m in length, 1 m at the hip, and weighed around 350 kg. With a lengthened, narrow skull filled with serrated teeth, Herrerasaurus was a leading predator of its time. Its strong hind legs were created for running, while its much shorter arms, equipped with three recurved claws, were likely used for raking or understanding. In spite of its appearances, Herrerasaurus exact position in the dinosaur family tree was a fantastic clinical argument due to the unusual anatomy of its hip. However, an agreement was ultimately reached within the scientific neighborhood, classifying it as an early saurischian.
4. Staurikosaurus: “Southern Cross Lizard”
FamilyHerrerasauridaeFound inSanta Maria Formation, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDietCarnivorousLived225 myaLength2.2 mHeight0.8 mWeight price quote|30 kg
Artists restoration of Staurikosaurus, Credit: Johnny Mingau/Wikimedia Commons
Another herrerasaurid from Late Triassic Brazil, Staurikosaurus was an active, bipedal predator. Found in the Santa Maria Formation, it lived around 225 million years earlier. Just about 2 m in length and 80 cm at the hip, weighing around 30 kg, this early dinosaur was a predator. Kept in mind for its long, slender skull and sharp teeth, Staurikosaurus had muscular arms equipped and hands with large claws, most likely used for comprehending victim.
5. Eoraptor: “Dawn Hunter”
Eoraptor– human size contrast, credit: Wikimedia Commons
Eoraptor was one of the earliest dinosaurs. It was a small, light-weight creature from the Late Triassic discovered in Argentina. Found in 1991, it determined around one meter in length and weighed roughly 10 kilograms. Its compact, slim body and long tail recommend dexterity and speed. Eoraptors had teeth a sign of a potentially omnivorous diet, integrating features of both carnivores and herbivores. The exact positioning of Eoraptor within the dinosaur ancestral tree has also been a debated subject, becoming classified as a basal sauropodomorph.
6. Eodromaeus: “Dawn Runner”
Artists reconstruction of Eodromaeus, credit: Ezequielvera/Wikimedia Commons
Eodromaeus was an early theropod from Argentinas Late Triassic period. This nimble predator, measuring approximately 1.2 meters in length and weighing around 5 to 7 kg, was geared up with distinct saber-shaped teeth and clawed hands, suggesting a meat-eating diet plan.
7. Riojasaurus: “Rioja Lizard”
10 mHeight
Riojasaurus– human size comparison, credit: Nobu Tamura/Wikimedia Commons
Riojasaurus, a significant Late Triassic herbivore, populated Argentinas La Rioja Province about 225 to 219 million years earlier. Discovered in the Los Colorados Formation, it determined around 10 m in length and 3 meters in height. The animal was adapted for both bipedal and four-legged stances, supporting its herbivorous way of life. Riojasaurus fossils featured scleral rings that recommended a cathemeral lifestyle. Although a sauropodomorph, its anatomy suggests it was a rather more detailed relative to the earliest Jurassic sauropods.
8. Saturnalia
10 kg
Saturnalia– human size contrast, credit: Nobu Tamura/Wikimedia Commons
Saturnalia, a basal sauropodomorph from the Late Triassic of Southern Brazil, is recognized as one of the earliest recognized dinosaurs. Discovered in the Santa Maria Formation, it lived around 237 to 225 million years ago. This dinosaur, around 1.5 meters in length, showcases the initial phases of sauropodomorph advancement. The structure of Saturnalia, identified by a little skull on a flexible neck and plant-crushing teeth, shows an herbivorous diet. Its fossils, discovered both in South America and Africa, highlight the dinosaurs large geographical spread during the Late Triassic period.
9. Coloradisaurus: “Los Colorados Lizard”
Coloradisaurus holotype, credit: Wikimedia Commons
Coloradisaurus, another sauropodomorph from Argentinas Late Triassic, prospered in the Los Colorados Formation, significantly during the Norian phase. This dinosaur, around 10 meters long, was identified by a durable build and a herbivorous diet. Nevertheless, it is mostly understood from a partial skeleton, consisting of considerable cranial product, mainly clarifying its feeding mechanics and lifestyle.
10. Sellosaurus: “Broad Lizard”
FamilyPlateosauridaeFound inHeroldsberg, GermanyDietHerbivorousLived214– 204 myaLength|7 mHeight|3 mWeight estimate300-600 kg
Artists restoration of Sellosaurus, credit: NTamura/DeviantArt
Discovered in New Mexico, this 3-meter-long dinosaur was characterized by hollow bones and a light-weight structure, for this reason the dinosaurs name “Hollow Form”. Herrerasaurus, a primitive Late Triassic dinosaur from Argentina, was among the earliest dinosaurs. Only about 2 m in length and 80 cm at the hip, weighing around 30 kg, this early dinosaur was a predator. Saturnalia, a basal sauropodomorph from the Late Triassic of Southern Brazil, is acknowledged as one of the earliest recognized dinosaurs. Its fossils, found both in South America and Africa, highlight the dinosaurs wide geographical spread during the Late Triassic period.
Sellosaurus, a sauropodomorph, occupied Europe approximately 214 to 204 million years back. With an adult size extending between 4 to 7 meters in length and a height of about 3 meters, Sellosaurus was estimated to have actually weighed in between 300 to 600 kg, showcasing a durable yet nimble build. Considering that it came from the Plateosauridae household, Sellosaurus shared a number of attributes with its close relative, Plateosaurus, including a long neck and a primarily plant-based diet.
