Coelophysis

(see-low-FY-sis)

Coelo = hollow
Physis = form

Size: 3 feet tall, 10 feet long
Weight: About 100 pounds
Range: Western North America
Habitat: Woodlands
Diet: Meat and fish
Time period: Late Triassic

Coelophysis is one of the most well-known of all dinosaurs, partly because thousands of its skeletons have been discovered and displayed. The Coelophysis was apparently a vicious predator that would have walked upright and attacked with its long, toothy jaw.

Light on its Dangerous Feet

As its name suggests, the Coelophysis had hallow bones, which would have reduced its overall body weight. That made it much quicker and more agile - a lean, mean killing machine.

Many Measurable Differences

Unlike many species (not counting humans), Coelophysis males were probably much larger than females, based on the number of different sizes of adult Coelophysis skeletons which have been found.

Running with a Fast Crowd

To make these predators even more frightening, they evidently hunted in large packs, because dozens of Coelophysis skeletons have been found in the same places.

That means Coelophysis was similar to modern African Lions, which hunt with members of their family group. Also like the Coelophysis, male lions are larger than females.