Fun Alwalkeria Facts For Kids

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.

How do you pronounce 'Alwalkeria'?

The pronunciation of the word Alwalkeria is 'Al-wal-ke-re-ah'.

What type of dinosaur was an Alwalkeria?

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.

In which geological period did the Alwalkeria roam the earth?

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.

When did they become extinct?

These dinosaur species became Extinct almost about 235-228 million years ago.

Where did Alwalkeria live?

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.

What was an Alwalkeria's habitat?

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.

Who did Alwalkeria live with?

The Triassic period dinosaur Alwalkeria, found in the Maleri Formation, laid eggs in clutches but the exact number of eggs laid is unknown.

How long did an Alwalkeria live?

The Alwalkeria, originally named Walkeria, lived from 235 million years to 228 million years ago.

How did they reproduce?

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.

What did an Alwalkeria look like?

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).

How many bones does an Alwalkeria have?

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.

How did they communicate?

In general, most dinosaurs communicated using olfactory and tactile cues. They used chemicals to sense other species or one of their own kind.

How big was an Alwalkeria?

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).

How fast could an Alwalkeria move?

The exact speed of these dinosaurs from the genus Alwalkeria is unknown. As they were small dinosaurs they may have run quickly.

How much did an Alwalkeria weigh?

The Alwalkeria weighed around 71 oz (2 kg). The Alwalkeria is relatively small in comparison to other dinosaurs.

What were the male and female names of the species?

There is no specific name given to the male and female of the Alwalkeria species.

What would you call a baby Alwalkeria?

The babies of the Alwalkeria are called juveniles or hatchlings.

What did they eat?

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.

How aggressive were they?

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.

Did you know...

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.

What does Alwalkeria mean?

The Alwalkeria was named by Ben Creisler and Turneria Chatterjee in 1994 after Alice Walker.

Is Alwalkeria a theropod?

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].