# Coelophysis (*Coelophysis bauri*)

Coelophysis was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic forests and floodplains
- **Also known as:** Coelophysis Bauri

![Coelophysis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Coelophysis_%281%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Matt Celeskey from Albuquerque, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coelophysis_%281%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Coelophysis is a slender, bipedal dinosaur with a long, S-shaped neck and an equally long tail. It has a small head with sharp, serrated teeth, and its skin was likely covered in fine scales with earthy tones of brown or green to blend in with its environment.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Coelophysis was one of the earliest known meat-eating dinosaurs on Earth!
- Huge fossil beds found in New Mexico contain hundreds of Coelophysis!
- It could run incredibly fast, up to 30 mph, to catch its prey!
- Its name means 'hollow form' because its bones were very light.

## Special abilities

- **Swift Hunter:** Coelophysis can run incredibly fast because its lightweight, hollow bones make it very agile for pursuit.
- **Keen Eyes:** Coelophysis has sharp eyesight that helps it spot small, fast-moving prey in the Triassic landscape.
- **Grasping Claws:** Coelophysis possesses three-fingered hands with sharp claws, perfect for catching and holding onto prey.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 2.5-3 m
- **Weight:** 15-25 kg
- **Era:** Triassic
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 203

## Diet & Feeding

A nimble predator, it hunted small animals and insects with great speed and agility.

- **Primary Foods:** small reptiles, insects, fish, early mammals
- **Foraging Method:** Pursuit

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** Revueltosaurus (*Revueltosaurus callenderi*) — Ate its eggs or juveniles.
- **Hunts:** Hesperosuchus (*Hesperosuchus agilis*) — Preyed on this agile reptile.
- **Hunts:** Pseudocyces (*Pseudocyces rarus*) — Hunted this small, early mammal.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Coelophysis?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Coelophysis?

2.5-3 m

### How much does Coelophysis weigh?

15-25 kg

### What does Coelophysis eat?

A nimble predator, it hunted small animals and insects with great speed and agility.

### Where is Coelophysis usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Coelophysis hunt?

Pursuit

### What geologic era did Coelophysis live in?

Triassic

### When did Coelophysis go extinct?

203

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

---

Source: [Coelophysis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coelophysis)