Struthiomimus Facts
| 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 |

| 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.
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.
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.
Struthiomimus has appeared in various dinosaur documentaries and educational programmes, often showcased for its remarkable speed and bird-like appearance.
Struthiomimus was first described by Henry Fairfield Osborn in 1917. The original fossils were discovered at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada.