Herrerasaurus
ExploreAncient
Herrerasaurus
Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis
Herrerasaurus was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.
Habitat: Mesozoic forests and floodplains
Appearance
The Herrerasaurus is a medium-sized, bipedal predator with a relatively large, narrow skull and numerous sharp, serrated teeth. Its sleek, powerful body might have been camouflaged with earthy greens and browns, ending in a long, muscular tail for balance. It is distinguished by its primitive five-fingered hand, with two smaller outer fingers.
KingdomAnimalia
Category
AncientRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It's one of the very first dinosaurs ever discovered, dating back over 230 million years!
Its name means "Herrera's lizard," named after a rancher who found the first fossil.
Scientists think it might be an ancestor to all later meat-eating dinosaurs like T-Rex!
Some of its bones are so unique, they're like a missing piece in the dinosaur puzzle!
Special abilities
Ability
Swift Pursuit
Herrerasaurus has strong, muscular hind legs that help them run incredibly fast to catch fleeing prey.
Ability
Precision Grip
Herrerasaurus has five-fingered hands with sharp claws that help them grasp and hold onto struggling victims.
Ability
Slicing Jaws
Herrerasaurus can open its jaws wide and has serrated, blade-like teeth that help them slice through flesh.
Ability
Flexible Bite
Herrerasaurus has a flexible joint in its lower jaw that helps them get a stronger bite on large prey.
Measurements & details
- Estimated Length
- 3-6 m
- Estimated Weight
- 200-350 kg
- Era
- Triassic
- Extinct Millions Years Ago
- 201.3
Diet & Feeding
This fierce predator munched on smaller reptiles and early mammals of its time!
Primary Foods
- Rhynchosaurs
- Cynodonts
- Early archosaurs
- Other small vertebrates
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
eaten by
Rhynchosaur
Hyperodapedon sanjuanensis
A common herbivore in its habitat.
eaten by
Cynodont
Exaeretodon argentinus
An early mammal-like reptile and frequent prey.
eaten by
Large Pseudosuchian
Saurosuchus galilei
A much larger predator that could hunt Herrerasaurus.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Ancient
Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
Artifact
An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
Crystalline
Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
Fossil
A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Herrerasaurus?
3-6 m
How much does Herrerasaurus weigh?
200-350 kg
What does Herrerasaurus eat?
This fierce predator munched on smaller reptiles and early mammals of its time!
Where is Herrerasaurus usually found?
Mesozoic forests and floodplains
How does Herrerasaurus hunt?
Pursuit
What geologic era did Herrerasaurus live in?
Triassic
When did Herrerasaurus go extinct?
201.3
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
