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syntarsus: carnivore dinosaur from the Triassic era

Syntarsus Facts

Pronunciation: sin-TAR-sus

Name meaning: Fused ankle

Diet	Carnivore
Height	0.9m
Length	3m
Weight	25 kg
Speed	25 km/h
Environment	Land
Era	Triassic
Period	Late Triassic
Type	Theropod
Location	Zimbabwe And South Africa

Syntarsus was a small, agile theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 206 to 199 million years ago. Originally described as a distinct genus, it is now considered synonymous with Coelophysis, though some African specimens have been reassigned to Megapnosaurus. This slender predator inhabited the ancient landscapes of what is now Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Standing about 90 centimetres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 3 metres in length, Syntarsus was built for speed and agility. Its lightweight frame, weighing around 25 kilograms, featured long, powerful hind legs and a lengthy tail that provided balance whilst running. The dinosaur's most distinctive feature was its fused ankle bones, which gave it its name meaning 'fused ankle'.

As a carnivorous theropod, Syntarsus hunted small prey including early mammals, lizards, and possibly fish. Its sharp, serrated teeth were perfectly adapted for slicing through flesh, whilst its grasping hands bore sharp claws for catching and holding struggling prey. The dinosaur's keen eyesight and quick reflexes made it an effective hunter in the Late Triassic ecosystems.

Fossil evidence suggests that Syntarsus may have lived and hunted in groups, as multiple skeletons have been found together in bone beds. This early example of possible pack behaviour amongst theropods provides valuable insights into dinosaur social structures during the Triassic period.

What made Syntarsus distinctive?

Syntarsus was characterised by its fused ankle bones, which gave the dinosaur its name. It had a slender build with long hind legs, sharp curved claws on its hands, and a lightweight skull with forward-facing eyes that provided excellent depth perception for hunting.

Behaviour

Fossil evidence suggests Syntarsus may have been a social hunter, with multiple individuals found preserved together in bone beds. It was likely an active predator that relied on speed and agility to chase down small prey across the Late Triassic landscape.

Fun Facts About Syntarsus

Syntarsus is one of the few early theropods where multiple complete skeletons have been found together, suggesting possible pack hunting behaviour
The name Syntarsus had to be changed for some specimens because it was already being used for an insect, leading to the creation of the name Megapnosaurus
Some Syntarsus specimens show evidence of seasonal growth rings in their bones, similar to tree rings
Syntarsus had hollow bones like modern birds, making it much lighter than it would appear from its size
The largest known Syntarsus specimens were found in a mass death assemblage, possibly killed during a drought or flood event

Syntarsus in Popular Culture

Syntarsus has appeared in some dinosaur documentaries and educational materials, though it is less well-known than larger theropods in popular media.

Discovery

Syntarsus was first described by Michael Raath in 1969. The original fossils were discovered at Forest Sandstone Formation, Zimbabwe.

Syntarsus FAQ

What did Syntarsus eat?

Syntarsus was a carnivore that hunted small prey including early mammals, lizards, insects, and possibly fish. Its sharp, serrated teeth were designed for slicing meat, and its quick reflexes helped it catch fast-moving prey.

How big was Syntarsus?

Syntarsus was about 90 centimetres tall at the hip, 3 metres long from nose to tail, and weighed approximately 25 kilograms. This made it roughly the size of a large dog, but much more slender and built for speed.

When did Syntarsus live?

Syntarsus lived during the Late Triassic period, between 205.7 and 199.5 million years ago. This was near the end of the Triassic period, before the age of the giant dinosaurs.

Where was Syntarsus found?

Syntarsus fossils have been discovered in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The first specimens were found in the Forest Sandstone Formation in Zimbabwe by palaeontologist Michael Raath in 1969.

How do you pronounce Syntarsus?

Syntarsus is pronounced 'sin-TAR-sus', with the emphasis on the middle syllable. The name comes from Greek words meaning 'fused ankle', referring to the dinosaur's distinctive ankle bones.

What does Syntarsus mean?

Syntarsus means 'fused ankle' in Greek, referring to the dinosaur's distinctive fused ankle bones. This feature was one of the key characteristics that palaeontologists used to identify and classify this theropod.

How fast could Syntarsus run?

Based on its long legs and lightweight build, scientists estimate that Syntarsus could run at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour. Its speed and agility were crucial for catching prey and avoiding larger predators.

What type of dinosaur was Syntarsus?

Syntarsus was a small theropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Coelophysidae. Theropods were bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs that included all the meat-eating dinosaurs and eventually gave rise to modern birds.

Was Syntarsus related to birds?

Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Syntarsus was part of the lineage that eventually evolved into modern birds. It shared many bird-like features including hollow bones, sharp claws, and a bipedal stance, though it lived much earlier than the first known birds.

How many Syntarsus fossils have been found?

Multiple Syntarsus specimens have been discovered, including several mass death assemblages where numerous individuals were preserved together. The most famous discovery included over 30 skeletons found in a single bone bed in Zimbabwe.