Fun Camposaurus Facts For Kids

The Camposaurus arizonensis is a carnivorous dinosaur of the theropod family. Because there are so few fossils and features of this dinosaur that have been found and recognized, many details concerning it remain unknown.

It is thought to be the oldest neotheropod dinosaur discovery based on the fossils, which date from the Early to Middle Norian stage of the Late Triassic. It is linked to the dinosaurs Coelophysis and Syntarsus.

It has naturally become a contentious dinosaur due to the fact that so little is known about it.

For more than a decade, paleontologists have been attempting to figure out where it belongs in the theropod family tree, and if the dinosaur even deserves a name. The known bones are so difficult to correctly diagnose that they appear to confound rather than enlighten.

Keep reading to learn more about this mysterious dinosaur! If these facts interest you, check out our articles on the Brachytrachelopan and Turiasaurus too.

Camposaurus Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce 'Camposaurus'?

The name of the dinosaur Camposaurus is pronounced as 'Kamp-o-sor-es'. The name means 'bent lizard'.

What type of dinosaur was a Camposaurus?

This bent lizard was found to be an early neotheropod.

Theropods and neotheropods are distinct in that neotheropods have evolved to lose their fifth finger totally and have shortened or reduced their use of the fourth.

Camposaurus resembles the considerably more renowned Coelophysis in appearance, so much so that for more than ten years after the genus was described, there was significant speculation that the genus was probably synonymous with Coelophysis.

But, the result is that, while Camposaurus is superficially similar to Coelophysis, it is distinct enough to warrant its own genus.

In which geological period did the Camposaurus roam the Earth?

Its fossils are known from the Early to Middle Norian stage of the Late Triassic dinosaurs period 228-208.5 million years ago.

When did the Camposaurus become extinct?

It would have become extinct a long time ago. It was present in the Late Triassic dinosaurs period.

Where did a Camposaurus live?

It lived in what is now known as Europe and North America. Based on the geologic features of the site where it was discovered, known as the Placerias Quarry, it is considered to be the oldest known neotheropod dinosaur.

This distinct location was supposed to correlate to a section of Triassic rock known as the Mesa Redondo Member of the Chinle Formation, however, this was shown to be incorrect.

The quarry is really in younger rock than previously thought, implying that it is not as ancient as previously thought. It is still a very old theropod, although its exact age and connection to other theropods are unknown.

What was a Camposaurus' habitat?

The Placerias Quarry appears to be a barren terrain, although it is rich in Late Triassic fossils. The Placerias Quarry in northeastern Arizona is home to some of the world's most varied Triassic vertebrate fossils.

Who did a Camposaurus live with?

It could have lived in groups. To avoid predators, it relied on its speed.

How long did a Camposaurus live?

The average dinosaurs' lifetime was estimated to be between 20-80 years. The lifetime of various species differed.

How did they reproduce?

 All dinosaurs, like extant crocodylians and birds, were oviparous, or egg-laying. There are several good specimens of fossilized egg remains and nests available for research. Dinosaurs produced hard-shelled eggs similar to birds rather than soft-shelled eggs like crocodylians and other reptiles.

Camposaurus Fun Facts

What did a Camposaurus look like?

Because of a scarcity of the fossil, nothing is known about the Camposaurus. It is mostly known only from the incomplete lower leg bones.

Many paleontologists are skeptical about it being a species. It possessed four fingers in the upper limbs and three-toed small feet since it was a neotheropod. Even though it was most likely a neotheropod, the notion that it was a neotheropod is still being debated due to a lack of definite evidence.

How many bones did a Camposaurus have?

Paleontologists Martin Ezcurra and Stephen Brusatte have researched the few bones that have survived in order to better understand the Camposaurus' distinguishing characteristics. One of the lower leg bones had a prominent ridge where it met the fibula.

These characteristics aid in distinguishing it from the closely related and physically similar Coelophysis. In fact, until Ezcurra and Brusatte proved otherwise, it was mistakenly thought to be a member of the Coelophysis family. Nonetheless, the two genera are interchangeable.

How did they communicate?

Dinosaurs most likely communicated visually as well as verbally. Defensive posture, courting activity, and territorial conflicts were most likely accompanied by both verbal and visual displays.

How big was a Camposaurus?

Although no precise data on the creature's length has been uncovered, it is thought that Camposaurus size was around 36 in (91.4 cm). It was a ground dweller. Iguanodon is related to it.

How fast could a Camposaurus move?

The smaller and larger the size, the slower the pace. This average-sized dinosaur was an outstanding runner and quicker than humans.

When racing away from other large predators or hunting food, they could reach speeds of up to 27 mph (43.4 kph). The other characteristics of the leg, similar to dinosaurs and pterosaurs, indicate that these creatures stood erect and moved with a parasagittal gait.

How much did a Camposaurus weigh?

Because of the scarcity of material known from this genus, its approximate length and weight cannot be accurately approximated.

What were the male and female names of the species?

There are no names that distinguish between male and female dinosaurs based on sex. However, these creatures exhibited sexual dimorphism, which meant that males and females differed in shape, size, and color.

What would you call a baby Camposaurus?

Because theropods were so similar to birds, a young theropod might be referred to as a chick.

What did they eat?

It is thought to be a tiny carnivore. Its diet included exclusively meat, as evidenced by its feeding habits based on lower limb data.

This suggests that the creature preyed on animals smaller than itself or pursued a larger diet in a group, albeit the former is more likely because there is no evidence that they lived in a group.

How aggressive were they?

The predatory and carnivorous dinosaurs were highly deadly. These creatures hunted in groups and engaged in aggressive hunting behavior, both of which were typical among theropods. Dinosaurs' fossil and bite marks indicate that they often bit the head and neck of their victim with their long, sharp, and strong teeth to inflict the most harm.

Did you know...

Despite the fact that dinosaurs had enormous heads, their brains were quite tiny. They were approximately as clever as this age's reptiles.

What does the name 'Camposaurus' mean?

The species was named after Charles Lewis Camp, who participated in the 1930 excavations in the Placerias Quarry and may have discovered the holotype specimen that is still in existence today. The name Camposaurus is derived from the words meaning 'Charles Camp's Reptile' or 'Charles Camp's Lizard'.

Charles Camp was born in Jamestown, North Dakota in 1893 and has had a lifelong interest in anatomy and paleontology, serving as Director of Paleontology at the University of California, USA.

Are they the oldest neotheropod?

Camposaurus is a coelophysid dinosaur genus from North America's Norian stage of the Late Triassic era. It is little-known.

Only a few pieces of the dinosaur's lower limb bones have been unearthed and positively identified as belonging to this dinosaur, which was discovered in the Late Triassic rock of Arizona.

Nonetheless, the morphology of these pieces recognized the dinosaur as a neotheropod, and its geologic setting made it perhaps the oldest known representative of the vast, diversified group of dinosaurs that included Ceratosaurus, Allosaurus, Tyrannosaurus, Spinosaurus, and many, many more. As a result, its remains may be useful in calibrating theropod dinosaurs' early evolutionary history.

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 Yunnanosaurus fun facts, or Isaberrysaura facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Camposaurus coloring pages.

Second image by ~Tomozosaurus.