Avipes Facts
Note: Although historically classified as a dinosaur, Avipes is no longer considered one based on current scientific understanding. It remains a fascinating prehistoric creature.
Pronunciation: AH-vee-pez
Name meaning: Bird foot
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 0.5m |
| Length | 1.5m |
| Weight | 5 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Triassic |
| Period | Triassic |
| Type | Other |
| Location | Germany |
Although once classified as a dinosaur, Avipes is now known to be an indeterminate archosaur—a member of the larger group that includes dinosaurs, crocodiles, and pterosaurs, but cannot be placed more specifically within this group. This enigmatic creature lived during the middle Triassic period, approximately 241 million years ago, in what is now Germany.
Avipes is known from a single, partial foot fossil consisting of several metatarsals (foot bones) discovered in the Lettenkohlensandstein deposits near Bedheim, Thuringia. Originally described by German palaeontologist Friedrich von Huene in 1932, it was initially thought to be either a coelurosaur or ceratosaur dinosaur. However, a reassessment in 2000 by researchers Rauhut and Hungerbühler revealed that the fossil remains were simply too incomplete to assign Avipes to any specific group beyond Archosauria.
The foot bones suggest Avipes was likely a bipedal creature, walking on its hind legs much like many of its archosaurian relatives. Based on the size of the foot bones, it was probably a relatively small animal, though without more complete remains, its exact proportions remain uncertain. The structure of the foot suggests it was likely carnivorous, adapted for pursuing prey across the Triassic landscape.
Avipes represents an important reminder of how challenging it can be to classify ancient life forms from fragmentary remains, and highlights the diversity of archosaur life that existed during the Triassic period.
What made Avipes distinctive?
Avipes is only known from partial foot bones (metatarsals), making it impossible to identify distinctive visual features. The foot bones suggest a bipedal stance typical of many archosaurs from the Triassic period.
Behaviour
Based on the structure of its foot bones, Avipes was likely an active, ground-dwelling predator that walked on two legs. The limited remains suggest it may have been adapted for pursuing small prey across the Triassic terrain, though specific behavioural patterns cannot be determined from such incomplete fossils.
Discovery
Avipes was first described by Friedrich von Huene in 1932. The original fossils were discovered at Bedheim, Thuringia, Germany.
Avipes FAQ
What did Avipes eat?
Avipes was likely carnivorous, based on the structure of its foot bones and comparison with other archosaurs from the same time period. However, with only partial foot bones known, its exact diet and feeding behaviour remain uncertain.
How big was Avipes?
Based on the size of the foot bones, Avipes was probably around 1.5 metres long and stood about 0.5 metres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 5 kilograms. However, these are estimates based on very limited remains.
When did Avipes live?
Avipes lived during the middle
Triassic period, approximately 241 million years ago. This was a time when archosaurs were beginning to diversify into many different forms.
Where was Avipes found?
The single known Avipes fossil was discovered in Bedheim, Thuringia, Germany, in rock deposits called Lettenkohlensandstein that date to the middle
Triassic period.
How do you pronounce Avipes?
Avipes is pronounced 'AH-vee-pez', with the emphasis on the first syllable.
What does Avipes mean?
Avipes means 'bird foot' in Latin, reflecting early interpretations of the fossil's characteristics before its true nature as an indeterminate archosaur was understood.
How fast could Avipes run?
The running speed of Avipes is unknown due to the incomplete nature of the fossil remains. With only foot bones preserved, it's impossible to estimate its locomotion capabilities accurately.
What type of dinosaur was Avipes?
Avipes is not actually a dinosaur at all. Although originally classified as one, it is now considered an indeterminate archosaur—meaning it belongs to the broader group that includes dinosaurs, crocodiles, and pterosaurs, but cannot be classified more specifically.
Was Avipes related to birds?
As an archosaur, Avipes was distantly related to birds in the sense that birds are dinosaurs, and dinosaurs are archosaurs. However, Avipes itself was not a dinosaur and lived much earlier than the dinosaur lineage that led to birds.
How many Avipes fossils have been found?
Only one Avipes fossil has ever been found—a partial foot consisting of several metatarsal bones discovered in Germany in the 1930s. This single, incomplete specimen is all we know of this mysterious archosaur.
