Compsognathus Facts
Pronunciation: COMP-sog-NAY-thuss
Name meaning: Pretty Jaw
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 0.3m |
| Length | 1m |
| Weight | 800 g |
| Speed | 64 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | Germany And France |
Compsognathus was one of the smallest known dinosaurs, a tiny theropod that lived around 150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period. About the size of a modern chicken, this diminutive predator scurried through the ancient landscapes of what is now Germany and France on its long, slender legs.
Despite its small size, Compsognathus was perfectly designed for hunting. It had a lightweight build with hollow bones, large eyes for spotting prey, and sharp, pointed teeth ideal for catching small animals. Its long tail made up about half its total body length and helped it maintain balance whilst running and turning quickly during pursuit.
This tiny theropod primarily hunted insects, small lizards, and other creatures it could overpower. Remarkably, one German fossil preserves the remains of a small lizard called Bavarisaurus in the dinosaur's stomach area, providing direct evidence of what Compsognathus ate. The creature's delicate build and swift movements made it well-suited for chasing fast-moving prey through the coastal environments where it lived.
Compsognathus is known from two exceptionally well-preserved fossils, both found in fine limestone deposits that captured incredible detail. These specimens have been crucial in understanding early theropod anatomy and have helped palaeontologists learn about the relationship between small dinosaurs and modern birds.
What made Compsognathus distinctive?
Compsognathus was distinguished by its extremely small size, long slender neck, and proportionally large head with sharp pointed teeth. Its most notable feature was its exceptionally long tail, which made up roughly half of its total body length and was held stiffly behind the body for balance.
Behaviour
Compsognathus was likely a swift and agile hunter that relied on speed to catch small prey such as insects, lizards, and possibly small mammals. It probably lived alone or in small groups, using its keen eyesight and quick reflexes to snatch prey from the ground or low vegetation.
Compsognathus in Popular Culture
Compsognathus appeared memorably in the 1997 film The Lost World: Jurassic Park, where a pack of them attacked characters on the beach, though they were portrayed as more aggressive than the real animals likely were.
Discovery
Compsognathus was first described by Johann Andreas Wagner in 1859. The original fossils were discovered at Solnhofen Limestone, Bavaria, Germany.
Compsognathus FAQ
What did Compsognathus eat?
Compsognathus was a carnivore that fed on small prey including insects, lizards, and possibly small mammals. We know this from direct fossil evidence - one specimen contains the remains of a small lizard called Bavarisaurus preserved in its stomach area, showing us exactly what this tiny dinosaur's last meal was.
How big was Compsognathus?
Compsognathus was about 1 metre long and 30 centimetres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 800 grams - roughly the size and weight of a large chicken. This makes it one of the smallest known dinosaurs, perfectly adapted for catching small, quick prey.
When did Compsognathus live?
Compsognathus lived during the
Late Jurassic period, approximately 154.8 to 149.2 million years ago. This was during the Tithonian age, when much of Europe was covered by shallow seas and tropical islands.
Where was Compsognathus found?
Compsognathus fossils have been discovered in Germany and France. The first specimen was found in the famous Solnhofen Limestone of Bavaria, Germany in the 1850s, whilst the second was discovered in France over a century later. Both were preserved in fine limestone deposits.
How do you pronounce Compsognathus?
Compsognathus is pronounced 'COMP-sog-NAY-thuss'. The name comes from Greek words meaning 'pretty jaw', referring to the delicate and elegant appearance of its skull and jawbones.
What does Compsognathus mean?
Compsognathus means 'pretty jaw' in Greek. The name refers to the delicate, elegant appearance of the dinosaur's skull and jaw bones, which were much more graceful than the massive jaws of larger predatory dinosaurs.
How fast could Compsognathus run?
Scientists estimate that Compsognathus could reach speeds of up to 64 kilometres per hour. Its long, powerful legs and lightweight build made it one of the fastest dinosaurs relative to its size, essential for catching quick prey like lizards and insects.
What type of dinosaur was Compsognathus?
Compsognathus was a small theropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Compsognathidae. Theropods were the group of carnivorous dinosaurs that included everything from tiny Compsognathus to massive
Tyrannosaurus rex, and from which modern birds evolved.
Was Compsognathus related to birds?
Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Compsognathus was closely related to birds. It shared many bird-like features including hollow bones, a wishbone, and a similar hip structure. However, it lived before the evolution of flight and retained teeth and a long bony tail unlike modern birds.
How many Compsognathus fossils have been found?
Only two Compsognathus fossils have ever been discovered, despite the dinosaur being known to science for over 160 years. The first was found in Germany in the 1850s, and the second in France more than a century later. Both specimens are remarkably well-preserved, showing fine details of the skeleton.
