FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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The Alwalkeria is a small Indian dinosaur found in the Maleri Formation of Andhra Pradesh, South India. Maleriensis refers to the Maleri Formation of south India where these new theropod dinosaur fossils, including some teeth, were discovered. Alice Walker inspired the name Alwalkeria.
This new theropod dinosaur lived during the Carnian period 228 million years ago in the Late Triassic period. Alwalkeria fossils were discovered in the Godavari Valley of Andhra Pradesh, India, in the Maleri Formation. These fossils were discovered in red mudstone deposits.
It is assumed that these dinosaurs reproduced by mating and laying eggs. These Triassic period dinosaurs are classified as basal saurischian. They eat the flesh of other small animals, insects, and plants. Previously, this species was associated with Herrerasaurids and the Protoavis genus.
If you enjoy reading this article, then do read and learn some interesting fun facts about the Afrovenator and the Barsboldia.
The pronunciation of the word Alwalkeria is 'Al-wal-ke-re-ah'.
The Alwalkeria was a small bipedal Indian dinosaur. They clade within Dinosauria, Saurischia, and the genus of Alwalkeria. This theropod dinosaur from India was originally named Walkeria in 1987 by Turneria Chatterjee and Ben Creisler, but the name Walkeria was already given to a small aquatic invertebrate named bryozoan, so it was changed to Alwalkeria in 1994. The scientific name is Alwalkeria maleriensis. The latter name, maleriensis, refers to the Maleri Formation of south India, where these dinosaur fossils were found. The name Alwalkeria is named after Alice Walker.
The Alwalkeria maleriensis, a theropod dinosaur from India, roamed the earth during the Late Triassic. These dinosaurs existed during the Carnian age 228 million years ago.
These dinosaur species became Extinct almost about 235-228 million years ago.
These Triassic period dinosaur fossils were recovered from the Godavari Valley in the Maleri Formation of Andhra Pradesh, India. These fossil remains were recovered from upper red mudstone deposits. The specimens of these dinosaurs from the clade of Dinosauria, Saurischia, with the name Alwalkeria, were collected and kept at the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata, India. Ben Creisler and Turneria Chatterjee described these basal dinosaurs in 1987.
The Alwalkeria fossil was recovered from the Maleri Formation of South India from the upper red mudstone areas. Other Prosauropods named Jaklapallisaurus and Nambalia fossils were also found at the same site. But despite much research, the actual habitat that the Alwalkeria used to live in remains unknown.
The Triassic period dinosaur Alwalkeria, found in the Maleri Formation, laid eggs in clutches but the exact number of eggs laid is unknown.
The Alwalkeria, originally named Walkeria, lived from 235 million years to 228 million years ago.
These dinosaurs are believed to reproduce by mating and laying eggs. The females are supposed to be more involved in the parental care of their eggs and the young hatchlings.
The classification of these Alwalkeria dinosaurs of clade Dinosauria was previously linked to Herrerasaurids and the genus of Protoavis. Later on, in 2009, it was evident that these Triassic period dinosaurs were too primitive to be theropods and their classification was changed to basal saurischian. The fossils recovered only consist of the front teeth of the upper and lower jaw, only 28 incomplete vertebrae from their spinal column, and the femur and ankle bones. The partial skull measured around 1.5 in (4 cm).
Only 28 incomplete vertebrae and some teeth have been recovered so the exact number of bones found in these Triassic period dinosaurs of India is unknown.
In general, most dinosaurs communicated using olfactory and tactile cues. They used chemicals to sense other species or one of their own kind.
According to Turneria Chatterjee and Ben Creisler, Alwalkeria theropoda was 1.6 ft (50 cm) in length and 0.98 ft (30 cm) tall in height. Later on, Gregory S. Paul estimated its length at 4.92 ft (150 cm).
The exact speed of these dinosaurs from the genus Alwalkeria is unknown. As they were small dinosaurs they may have run quickly.
The Alwalkeria weighed around 71 oz (2 kg). The Alwalkeria is relatively small in comparison to other dinosaurs.
There is no specific name given to the male and female of the Alwalkeria species.
The babies of the Alwalkeria are called juveniles or hatchlings.
The Alwalkeria diet is a topic of debate among researchers because of their teeth formation. They are classified as carnivores, as well as omnivores. They fed on a diet of the flesh of other small animals, insects, and also plants.
There is not much evidence available in regard to their aggressive behavior, but as these species' diets included flesh of animals, they must have been aggressive.
The Alwalkeria and Eoraptor are of the same dinosaur family tree.
The Alwalkeria had a few distinguishing features, such as unserrated teeth and articulation between the ankle and fibula. The fossils recovered only consist of the front teeth of the upper and lower jaw, only 28 incomplete vertebrae from their spinal column, and the femur and ankle bones.
They fed on a diet of the flesh of other small animals, insects, and also plants.
The Alwalkeria was named by Ben Creisler and Turneria Chatterjee in 1994 after Alice Walker.
There is still not much evidence available about whether Alwalkeria is a theropod or basal dinosaur. Earlier, they were categorized as theropods, but later they were moved into the category of basal dinosaurs. So, they are sometimes referred to as theropod basal dinosaurs.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other creatures from our Campylognathoides facts and Jaxartosaurus fun facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Alwalkeria coloring pages.
Main image by Debivort.
Second image by Conty.
*We've been unable to source an image of Alwalkeria and have used an image of Eoraptor instead as main image. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Alwalkeria, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected].
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At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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