Hippodraco Facts
Pronunciation: HIP-oh-DRAY-koh
Name meaning: Horse Dragon
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 0.8m |
| Length | 2.5m |
| Weight | 45 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | United States |
Hippodraco was a small ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 137 million years ago. This herbivorous dinosaur roamed the ancient landscapes of what is now Utah, United States, where its fossils were discovered in the Cedar Mountain Formation. Despite being known from only a single partial skeleton of a juvenile individual, Hippodraco has provided valuable insights into the diversity of ornithopod dinosaurs in early Cretaceous North America.
As an ornithopod, Hippodraco belonged to a successful group of plant-eating dinosaurs that were characterised by their bird-like hips and beaked mouths. This particular species, H. scutodens, was relatively small compared to later ornithopods, measuring approximately 2.5 metres in length and standing about 80 centimetres tall at the hip. However, it's important to note that these measurements are based on an immature specimen, so adult Hippodraco may have been somewhat larger.
Like other ornithopods, Hippodraco possessed a beak-like structure at the front of its mouth for cropping vegetation, backed by rows of grinding teeth for processing plant material. The name 'scutodens' refers to shield-like features of its teeth, which were well-adapted for breaking down tough Cretaceous plant matter. This dinosaur likely spent its days browsing on ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants that were beginning to diversify during the Early Cretaceous period.
What made Hippodraco distinctive?
Hippodraco possessed distinctive shield-like teeth that gave it its species name 'scutodens'. As an iguanodontian ornithopod, it had a characteristic beak-like mouth structure and grinding teeth arranged in rows for processing plant material.
Behaviour
Hippodraco likely lived in herds or small groups, as is common among ornithopod dinosaurs, providing safety in numbers from predators. It would have spent much of its time foraging for vegetation, using its beak to crop plants before grinding them with its specialised teeth.
Discovery
Hippodraco was first described by Andrew McDonald in 2008. The original fossils were discovered at Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah, USA.
Hippodraco FAQ
What did Hippodraco eat?
Hippodraco was a herbivore that fed on the plants available during the
Early Cretaceous period. It would have eaten ferns, cycads, conifers, and possibly some of the earliest flowering plants. Its beak-like mouth was perfect for cropping vegetation, whilst its shield-like grinding teeth processed the tough plant material.
How big was Hippodraco?
Based on the juvenile skeleton discovered, Hippodraco measured approximately 2.5 metres long and stood about 80 centimetres tall at the hip, weighing around 45 kilograms. However, since this is based on an immature individual, adult Hippodraco were likely somewhat larger.
When did Hippodraco live?
Hippodraco lived during the
Early Cretaceous period, approximately 137 million years ago. This was a time when flowering plants were just beginning to evolve and diversify across the planet.
Where was Hippodraco found?
Hippodraco fossils were discovered in the Cedar Mountain Formation in Utah, United States. This geological formation has proven to be a rich source of
Early Cretaceous dinosaur fossils from western North America.
How do you pronounce Hippodraco?
Hippodraco is pronounced 'HIP-oh-DRAY-koh'. The name combines the Greek words for horse (hippo) and dragon (draco), though like all dinosaurs, it was neither!
What does Hippodraco mean?
Hippodraco means 'Horse Dragon' in Greek. This name reflects the tradition of giving dinosaurs dramatic names, though Hippodraco was neither horse-like nor dragon-like in the mythological sense.
How fast could Hippodraco run?
The running speed of Hippodraco is not known, as estimates require more complete skeletal material than is currently available. As a small ornithopod, it may have been capable of quick bursts of speed to escape predators.
What type of dinosaur was Hippodraco?
Hippodraco was an ornithopod dinosaur, specifically an iguanodontian. Ornithopods were a diverse group of herbivorous dinosaurs characterised by their bird-like hip structure and specialised teeth for grinding plant material.
Was Hippodraco related to birds?
As an ornithischian dinosaur, Hippodraco was not directly related to modern birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which belonged to the other major group of dinosaurs called saurischians. However, all dinosaurs share common ancestry.
How many Hippodraco fossils have been found?
Only one Hippodraco specimen has been discovered so far - a partial skeleton of a juvenile individual found in Utah's Cedar Mountain Formation. More fossils would help scientists better understand this dinosaur's full size and characteristics.
