Dinosaurs have been one of the most fascinating groups of animals to be studied for a long time, although much remains to be known. These same birds are currently represented by birds, who are considered modern dinosaurs and, despite the fact that many of these birds are not similar in appearance to these, others, on the contrary, show certain features that are similar.
Its particular attraction has had to do with its enormous size and the fearsome ferocity with which certain species have been described, however, not all of them respond to these characteristics, and that is why in this article of our site we want to introduce you to some of the smallest dinosaurs in the world We invite you to continue reading this interesting article.
Compsognathus longipes
Its name in English is pretty jaw and a unique species within the genus has been recognized Its remains found in France and Germany, are they were quite complete, which helped in their description. It was a small bipedal dinosaur, measuring about 0.65 m and weighing about 3 kg. It had sharp teeth, which facilitated its carnivorous diet, which is known to have included other vertebrates. It lived about 145-140 million years ago in the late Jurassic.
Don't hesitate to take a look at this other article about the Types of carnivorous dinosaurs on our site.
Echinodon becklesii
The scientific name of the genus means "spiny or pointed tooth", while the specific name refers to its discoverer, the naturalist Richard Owen. The remains of this small dinosaur were found in England and the fossils corresponded specifically to jaws and teeth, from which the respective identification was made. There has been some debate as to whether their diet was herbivorous or omnivorous, but the latter seems to have been more widely accepted. This has also been described as a small dinosaur, which measured between 60 and 90 cm long In the image we can see this small dinosaur being devoured.
You may find this article on our site interesting where we discuss What did the animals eat?
Nanosaurus agilis
The common name of this dinosaur is " little lizard", in relation to the genus, which inhabited the Upper Jurassic. His remains, which consisted of a significant number of body parts, were found in the United States. It was characterized by being bipedal, measuring about 2 meters long and less than a meter tall, weighing around 10 kg. He was eating a herbivore-type diet
Check the Types of herbivorous dinosaurs that have existed in this article that we suggest.
Lesothosaurus diagnosticus
Also known as the Lesotho Lizard, this was found in South Africa and it can be concluded based on its remains that it was a small dinosaur approximately one meter long and half a meter high. It was bipedal, with rather long legs and reduced upper extremities Its mouth was formed by a keratinous beak, with fang-shaped teeth on the upper part, behind these and in the lower part it had leaf-shaped teeth, but of a cutting type. It has been debated whether it followed an omnivorous or herbivorous diet, although it appears that the latter may have been opportunistic.
Related to this bipedal dinosaur, you may be interested in learning about bipedal animals, examples and characteristics.
Microceratus gobiensis
This herbivorous dinosaur's name means "little horn." The remains were located in China and Mongolia and had a length of about 0.5 meters It is estimated that it moved on its lower extremities and that, added to its small size, must have been agile. It had a frill on the neck that grew from the back of the skull. Their diet was herbivorous.
Micropachycephalosaurus hongtuyanensis
The small thick-headed lizard has a rather long name, in contrast to its size, since it was another smaller dinosaur. It was about 0.6 meters long and less than 0.5 meters high Its partial remains were found in China. It was of the herbivorous type and lived in the Upper Cretaceous, 84-71 million years ago.
Fruitadens haagarorum
The common name is "fruit tooth", referring to the region of the United States where it was found. It was an omnivorous dinosaur, measuring between 65 and 75 cm long with a mass of 0.5 to 0.75 kg. It is estimated that it was a very agile runner and would be one of the smallest known dinosaurs within its group. The upper extremities were shorter than the lower ones and the latter had hollow bones.
Epidexipteryx hui
This dinosaur was found in China and is a special specimen, as it represents one of the first dino-birdsIn addition, it had long tail feathers, which are estimated to be typical of males in order to court females, a trait present today in many birds. Body length is estimated to be 25 cm, and 44.5 cm if the tail is included.
Don't hesitate to take a look at this article on our site where we talk about the Types of flying dinosaurs, with names and images that have existed.
Archaeopteryx lithographica
The genus name means "ancient wing" and is a species of dinosaur with bird-like appearance, which in fact could fly. Its location corresponds to Germany, where it is also called Urvogel, a word that translates as first bird. It was a carnivorous dinosaur that is estimated to have consumed small mammals, reptiles and insects. It is compared to the size of current crows, so that it could measure about 50 cm in length and weigh between 0.8 to 1kg. Their flight feathers were well developed and similar to those of modern birds.
Eoraptor lunensis
"Dawn Thief" is how this little dinosaur is known, which was found in Argentina. It is estimated that it was thin, one meter long, about 0.5 meters high and weighing 10 kg. It was a very old dinosaur, of which important, well-preserved remains were found. The upper extremities had five digits, of which three were longer with claws, probably with which it manipulated prey, since it is thought to be an omnivore.
Other small dinosaurs
As perhaps talking about only 10 of the smallest dinosaurs in the world is not enough, we leave you this list with other small dinosaurs:
- Nearby bird, Anchiornis huxleyi: 40 cm long.
- Ancient horned face, Archaeoceratops oshimai: up to 1.3 m in length.
- Jaw pretty, Compsognathus longipes: up to 1.25 m long.
- Chinese Dawn Wings, Eosinopteryx brevipenna: 30 cm long.
- Little Thief, Microraptor zhaoianus: about 80 cm long.
- Leaf tooth, Phyllodon henkeli: Estimated 1-2 m long.
- Pisan Lizard, Pisanosaurus mertii: about 1 m long.
- Wannan Lizard, Wannanosaurus yansiensis: 60 cm long.
