Velocisaurus Facts
Pronunciation: vel-OH-see-SORE-us
Name meaning: Swift Lizard
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 0.8m |
| Length | 1.5m |
| Weight | 8 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | Argentina |
Velocisaurus was a small theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85.7 million years ago, in what is now Argentina. Despite its evocative name meaning 'swift lizard', this dinosaur remains one of the more mysterious theropods due to the limited fossil evidence available.
What we know about Velocisaurus comes from a single partial lower leg bone (tibia) discovered in the Bajo de la Carpa Formation. This fragmentary evidence suggests it was a relatively small theropod, likely measuring around 1.5 metres in length and standing about 80 centimetres tall at the hip. The bone structure indicates it was built for bipedal locomotion, walking and running on its hind legs like other theropods.
As a carnivorous theropod, Velocisaurus would have been an active predator, likely hunting smaller animals such as early mammals, lizards, and possibly young dinosaurs. Its slender build suggests it was probably a fast and agile hunter, relying on speed rather than size to catch prey. The dinosaur lived in the warm, semi-arid environments of Late Cretaceous Patagonia, sharing its habitat with various other dinosaur species.
Velocisaurus is classified within the Noasauridae family, a group of small to medium-sized theropods known from South America and Madagascar. However, due to the limited fossil material, many aspects of its anatomy, behaviour, and exact evolutionary relationships remain uncertain and subject to ongoing scientific debate.
What made Velocisaurus distinctive?
Known only from a partial lower leg bone, Velocisaurus cannot be distinguished by specific visual features. The tibia suggests it was a small, lightly-built theropod with slender proportions typical of fast-moving predators.
Behaviour
Based on its bone structure and classification as a small theropod, Velocisaurus was likely an active, agile predator that hunted smaller prey. It probably moved quickly across the Late Cretaceous landscapes of Argentina, though specific behavioural details remain unknown due to limited fossil evidence.
Discovery
Velocisaurus was first described by José Bonaparte in 1991. The original fossils were discovered at Bajo de la Carpa Formation, Río Negro Province, Argentina.
Velocisaurus FAQ
What did Velocisaurus eat?
Velocisaurus was a carnivore that likely hunted smaller animals such as early mammals, lizards, and possibly juvenile dinosaurs. As a small theropod, it would have been an active predator, though its exact prey preferences are unknown due to limited fossil evidence.
How big was Velocisaurus?
Velocisaurus was quite small, estimated to be around 1.5 metres long and 80 centimetres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 8 kilograms. However, these measurements are estimates based on a single leg bone, so the actual size remains uncertain.
When did Velocisaurus live?
Velocisaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85.7 million years ago. This was towards the end of the age of dinosaurs, about 20 million years before the mass extinction event.
Where was Velocisaurus found?
Velocisaurus was discovered in Argentina, specifically in the Bajo de la Carpa Formation in Río Negro Province, Patagonia. This region has yielded many important dinosaur fossils from the
Late Cretaceous period.
How do you pronounce Velocisaurus?
Velocisaurus is pronounced 'vel-OH-see-SORE-us'. The name breaks down into three syllables, with emphasis on the second syllable 'OH'.
What does Velocisaurus mean?
Velocisaurus means 'swift lizard' in Latin. The name was chosen to reflect the presumed fast-moving nature of this small theropod dinosaur, though its actual speed cannot be determined from the limited remains.
How fast could Velocisaurus run?
The running speed of Velocisaurus is unknown and cannot be accurately estimated from the single leg bone that has been found. While its name suggests swiftness and its build indicates it was likely agile, specific speed calculations are impossible with such limited fossil evidence.
What type of dinosaur was Velocisaurus?
Velocisaurus was a small theropod dinosaur, belonging to the Noasauridae family. Theropods were bipedal, primarily carnivorous dinosaurs that include famous species like
Tyrannosaurus and
Velociraptor, though Velocisaurus was much smaller than these well-known examples.
Was Velocisaurus related to birds?
As a theropod dinosaur, Velocisaurus belonged to the same major group that gave rise to modern birds. However, its exact position in theropod evolution and specific relationship to birds cannot be determined due to the fragmentary nature of its remains.
How many Velocisaurus fossils have been found?
Only one Velocisaurus fossil has been found - a partial lower leg bone (tibia) discovered in 1991. This single, incomplete specimen makes Velocisaurus one of the most poorly known dinosaur genera, with most details about its anatomy and lifestyle remaining uncertain.
