Struthiomimus Facts
Pronunciation: STROOTH-ee-oh-MY-mus
Name meaning: Ostrich Mimic
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Height | 2.1m |
| Length | 4.3m |
| Weight | 150 kg |
| Speed | 60 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | North America |
Struthiomimus was a fascinating theropod dinosaur that roamed the plains of western North America during the Late Cretaceous period, between 83.6 and 72.2 million years ago. This remarkable creature earned its name, meaning 'ostrich mimic', due to its striking resemblance to modern flightless birds like ostriches and emus.
Standing about 2.1 metres tall at the hip and measuring 4.3 metres in length, Struthiomimus was built for speed rather than strength. Its long, powerful legs, lightweight frame of around 150 kilograms, and streamlined body allowed it to reach impressive speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour. The most distinctive feature was its toothless beak, which it used to gather a varied diet of plants, small animals, insects, and invertebrates.
As an opportunistic omnivore, Struthiomimus likely spent much of its time foraging across the ancient floodplains and forests of what is now Alberta and other parts of western Canada and the United States. Its large eyes provided excellent vision for spotting both food and predators, whilst its flexible neck allowed it to reach vegetation at different heights and probe into crevices for small prey.
Struthiomimus is one of the most commonly found smaller dinosaurs in Dinosaur Provincial Park, suggesting these theropods were quite successful in their ecosystem. Their abundance indicates they played an important role as both grazers and seed dispersers in their ancient environment.
What made Struthiomimus distinctive?
Struthiomimus had an elongated, toothless beak similar to modern ostriches, extremely long and powerful hind legs built for running, and a long tail that helped with balance whilst sprinting. Its neck was also notably long and flexible, allowing it to reach food sources at various heights.
Behaviour
Struthiomimus likely lived in groups for protection against predators, using their exceptional speed and keen eyesight to escape danger. They were active foragers, probably spending much of their day searching for food across varied terrain, from dense forests to open plains.
Discovery
Struthiomimus was first described by Henry Fairfield Osborn in 1917. The original fossils were discovered at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada.
Struthiomimus FAQ
What did Struthiomimus eat?
Struthiomimus was an omnivore that ate a varied diet including plants, fruits, seeds, small mammals, reptiles, insects, and other invertebrates. Its toothless beak was perfect for gathering plant material and small prey, much like modern ostriches and emus.
How big was Struthiomimus?
Struthiomimus stood about 2.1 metres tall at the hip, measured 4.3 metres in total length, and weighed approximately 150 kilograms. This made it roughly the size of a large ostrich, but considerably longer due to its extended tail.
When did Struthiomimus live?
Struthiomimus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, between 83.6 and 72.2 million years ago. This was near the end of the age of dinosaurs, roughly 10-15 million years before the mass extinction event.
Where was Struthiomimus found?
Struthiomimus fossils have been discovered across western North America, particularly in Alberta, Canada, and parts of the western United States. The most famous specimens come from Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, where they are among the most commonly found dinosaur remains.
How do you pronounce Struthiomimus?
Struthiomimus is pronounced 'STROOTH-ee-oh-MY-mus'. The name comes from Greek words meaning 'ostrich mimic', referring to its bird-like appearance and behaviour.
What does Struthiomimus mean?
Struthiomimus means 'ostrich mimic' in Greek. The name was chosen because of the dinosaur's remarkable resemblance to modern ostriches, including its long legs, neck, toothless beak, and overall body proportions.
How fast could Struthiomimus run?
Struthiomimus could reach speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour, making it one of the fastest dinosaurs known. Its long, powerful legs and lightweight build were perfectly adapted for high-speed running to escape predators.
What type of dinosaur was Struthiomimus?
Struthiomimus was a theropod dinosaur, specifically a member of the ornithomimid family. Unlike most theropods which were carnivorous predators, Struthiomimus was an omnivore with a toothless beak rather than sharp teeth.
Was Struthiomimus related to birds?
Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Struthiomimus was closely related to modern birds. In fact, its bird-like features including the toothless beak, long neck, and bipedal stance show how similar some dinosaurs were to their modern bird descendants.
How many Struthiomimus fossils have been found?
Struthiomimus is one of the most commonly found smaller dinosaurs in areas like Dinosaur Provincial Park, with numerous specimens discovered since the first fossils in 1917. The exact number isn't precisely documented, but their abundance suggests they were very successful in their ecosystem.
