> >

Elaphrosaurus Items

Elaphrosaurus News

elaphrosaurus: carnivore dinosaur from the Jurassic era

Elaphrosaurus Facts

Pronunciation: eh-LAF-roh-SORE-us

Name meaning: Light-footed lizard

Diet	Carnivore
Height	1.2m
Length	6m
Weight	210 kg
Speed	40 km/h
Environment	Land
Era	Jurassic
Period	Late Jurassic
Type	Theropod
Location	Tanzania

Elaphrosaurus was a distinctive theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155 to 145 million years ago. This fascinating predator roamed the ancient landscapes of what is now Tanzania, in East Africa, where its fossils were discovered in the famous Tendaguru Formation.

Standing about 1.2 metres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 6 metres in length, Elaphrosaurus was a medium-sized theropod built for speed rather than brute force. Its name, meaning 'light-footed lizard', perfectly captures its most remarkable feature: an incredibly lightweight and graceful build. The dinosaur possessed unusually long, slender legs and a lean body structure that made it one of the fastest runners of its time, capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour.

As a carnivore, Elaphrosaurus likely hunted smaller dinosaurs, early mammals, and other prey that inhabited the lush, tropical environment of Late Jurassic Africa. Its speed and agility would have been crucial advantages when chasing down quick prey or escaping from larger predators. The theropod's lightweight frame and powerful leg muscles suggest it was an active hunter that relied on pursuit rather than ambush tactics.

What makes Elaphrosaurus particularly intriguing is its early position in theropod evolution. As a member of the Noasauridae family, it represents an important branch of theropod dinosaurs that would later give rise to some of the most successful predators of the Cretaceous period.

What made Elaphrosaurus distinctive?

Elaphrosaurus was characterised by its exceptionally long, slender legs and lightweight build, giving it an almost gazelle-like appearance among theropod dinosaurs. Its proportionally small head sat atop a long, flexible neck, whilst its tail was lengthy and likely held stiffly for balance during high-speed pursuits.

Behaviour

Elaphrosaurus was likely a pursuit predator that used its exceptional speed and stamina to run down prey across the open floodplains of Late Jurassic Africa. Its build suggests it may have hunted in a similar manner to modern cursorial predators, relying on endurance running rather than short bursts of speed.

Fun Facts About Elaphrosaurus

Elaphrosaurus could likely outrun most other dinosaurs of its time, making it one of the fastest predators in Late Jurassic Africa
The original Elaphrosaurus skeleton discovered in Tanzania was remarkably complete, missing only the skull and parts of the tail
Elaphrosaurus lived alongside the famous long-necked sauropod Giraffatitan in the ancient Tendaguru ecosystem
Despite being discovered over 100 years ago, Elaphrosaurus remains one of the best examples of a cursorial (running) theropod from the Jurassic period
Recent studies suggest that Elaphrosaurus may have had primitive feathers or feather-like structures, though no direct evidence has been preserved

Scientific Classification

Phylum	Chordata
Class	Saurischia
Genus	Elaphrosaurus

Discovery

Elaphrosaurus was first described by Werner Janensch in 1920. The original fossils were discovered at Tendaguru Formation, Tanzania.

Elaphrosaurus FAQ

What did Elaphrosaurus eat?

Elaphrosaurus was a carnivore that likely hunted smaller dinosaurs, early mammals, reptiles, and possibly fish. Its lightweight build and speed suggest it specialised in catching fast, agile prey rather than taking down large animals.

How big was Elaphrosaurus?

Elaphrosaurus measured approximately 6 metres in length and stood about 1.2 metres tall at the hip. It weighed roughly 210 kilograms, making it relatively lightweight for its size compared to other theropods.

When did Elaphrosaurus live?

Elaphrosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155 to 145 million years ago, sharing its world with famous dinosaurs like Allosaurus and the sauropod Giraffatitan.

Where was Elaphrosaurus found?

Elaphrosaurus fossils were discovered in Tanzania, East Africa, specifically in the Tendaguru Formation. This site has yielded many important dinosaur fossils and was one of the richest dinosaur-bearing formations in Africa.

How do you pronounce Elaphrosaurus?

Elaphrosaurus is pronounced 'eh-LAF-roh-SORE-us', with emphasis on the second syllable. The name comes from Greek words meaning 'light-footed lizard'.

What does Elaphrosaurus mean?

Elaphrosaurus means 'light-footed lizard' in Greek, referring to its graceful, lightweight build and exceptional running abilities that distinguished it from other theropod dinosaurs.

How fast could Elaphrosaurus run?

Based on its leg proportions and lightweight build, scientists estimate that Elaphrosaurus could reach speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour, making it one of the fastest dinosaurs of its time.

What type of dinosaur was Elaphrosaurus?

Elaphrosaurus was a theropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the Noasauridae family. It was a bipedal carnivore with a build specialised for high-speed running and pursuit hunting.

Was Elaphrosaurus related to birds?

Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Elaphrosaurus was part of the group that eventually gave rise to modern birds. However, it lived much earlier than the first known birds and represents a more primitive branch of the theropod family tree.

How many Elaphrosaurus fossils have been found?

The fossil record of Elaphrosaurus is relatively limited, with the most complete specimen being the original skeleton found in Tanzania. Additional fragmentary remains have been discovered, but complete fossils remain rare.