Fun Caseosaurus Facts For Kids

If you are fond of dinosaurs or terrible lizards as they are known today, then you are in for a treat. We have a special dinosaur species for you, the Caseosaurus crosbyensis.

The Caseosaurus is one of the oldest of the dinosaur species to have walked on the face of our planet. These dinosaurs existed almost 212 million years ago during the Norian period of the Late Triassic age. These dinosaurs have been assigned under the family of Herrerasauridae under the class of Reptilia. The fossil remains of this dinosaur have been found in Texas, United States of America. Though the entire skeleton is yet to be found, just the hip bone of this dinosaur has been excavated. These species of dinosaurs are small in both size and weight. Unlike other dinosaurs that fall under the classification of the same family, these reptiles were just 6.5 ft (2 m) in length and measured a mere 110 lb (50 kg) in weight. With the discovery of more parts of this dinosaur, we would be able to gather more information on this spectacular species.

If you find our content interesting and entertaining then do check out facts about Chromogisaurus and Zigongosaurus.

How do you pronounce 'Caseosaurus'?

The ideal way to pronounce Caseosaurus is 'keɪziːoʊˈsɔːrəs'.

What type of dinosaur was a Caseosaurus?

The Caseosaurus crosbyensis was a dinosaur that belonged to the Saurischian genus of the Herrerasauridae family.

In which geological period did Caseosaurus roam the earth?

The Caseosaurus crosbyensis is one of the oldest known dinosaurs that has walked on the surface of our planet. Scientists estimate that this species of dinosaur roamed on earth almost 221.5 million years ago. The Caseosaurus is also referred to as the late Triassic dinosaurs as they existed during the Norian period of the Late Triassic age.

When did the Caseosaurus become extinct?

Upon closely examining the Caseosaurus fossil remains and undergoing numerous time mapping processes like radiocarbon dating and others, scientists and paleontologists have reached the conclusion that these dinosaurs might have gone extinct around 212 million years ago. Upon closely observing the geographical timescale of our planet, we can conclude that these dinosaurs might have gone extinct during the Norian period of the Late Triassic age.

Where did Caseosaurus live?

A group of paleontologists upon observing the fossils have concluded that these dinosaurs lived at the North Western landmass of that age. In the present age, that place is marked as Texas of the United States of America. The presence of the fossils in Texas, too confirms the theory.

What was the Caseosaurus' habitat?

The mid Triassic age marked the splitting of the super continental landmass of Pangaea. Since these dinosaurs existed during the Late Triassic age, we can conclude that these dinosaurs existed in the landmass known as Laurasia, which after being separated from Pangaea shifted towards the north. After the formation of Laurasia, it again split up into present day North America and Europe. So these dinosaurs experience the habitat and the climate of the late Triassic age at Laurasia. The normal climatic condition of the Triassic age was hot and dry. Therefore it can be assumed that the habitat of these dinosaurs was likely to be deserts and drylands.

Who did Caseosaurus live with?

Owing to very little data being available on the Caseosaurus crosbyensis and its discovery, we cannot effectively confirm the social life and the behavior of these dinosaurs. However, based on their nature and family, we can make assumptions. Dinosaurs in general were not too social animals. Though some of them lived, traveled, and hunted in herds, not all followed these norms. Social behavior might have been observed for the Caseosaurus during the mating season, where males might have fought with open another to win the attention of the female. They might have also successfully taken part in the courtship rituals, as is very much evident in modern age reptiles.

How long did a Caseosaurus live?

As very little information is available on this type of dinosaur, therefore the exact lifespan of the Caseosaurus is yet to be determined. However, we can make an assumption based on the generalized lifespan of dinosaurs. The early giant sized dinosaurs had a great lifespan and could live for over 100 years, while the smaller ones had a relatively lesser lifespan. As for the Caseosaurus, we can assume that they might have had a lifespan of around 30-50 years.

How did they reproduce?

The exact reproductive process of the Caseosaurus crosbyensis is not clearly known. However, since all dinosaurs were reptiles and they hatched from eggs, it can be expected that every family of dinosaurs had similar reproductive processes. Just like reptiles of the modern age, the mating rituals might have been common in the age of the dinosaurs as the present day reptiles and birds are said to have evolved from these lizards. Males often used to fight with one another to capture the attention of the female. The eggs were internally fertilized and then laid. After incubation, the eggs would hatch and the new hatchlings would be born.

What did Caseosaurus look like?

Apart from a hip bone, nothing else has been found that can accurately depict the appearance of these dinosaurs. However, a few striking features of the Caseosaurus helps us in identifying this species of dinosaur. These include a shallow shelf being present in the ilium. The longitudinal ridge is medial in nature and is ventrally placed. Lastly, there is also a presence of a thin postacetabular blade.

How many bones did a Caseosaurus have?

It is extremely difficult to make an assumption on the total number of bones that the Caseosaurus had. Only a few bones of the body of this dinosaur have been contained in Texas, Western United States and thus it is extremely difficult to understand the exact number of bones that this group of dinosaurs contained.

How did they communicate?

Scientists have confirmed that the dinosaurs were social animals in nature and communicated with one another. Apart from vocal means of communication, these ancient reptiles also used body signs to effectively communicate. As for vocal means, cracking or cracking sounds might have been the sounds which dinosaurs might have produced

How big was the Caseosaurus?

The Caseosaurus size had an approximate height of around 6.5 ft (2 m). Owing to their such small heights, they are often considered as a small species of dinosaurs in comparison to others.

How fast could a Caseosaurus move?

Due to a lack of data, the exact speed at which Caseosaurus ran is currently unknown. However, since these were carnivorous dinosaurs, they had quite a fast speed in order to hunt and catch their prey.

How much did a Caseosaurus weigh?

It is estimated that these small dinosaurs had an average weight of 110 lb (50 kg). Apart from a small height, the Caseosaurus skeleton fossil also confirms that this species of dinosaur was extremely small and lighter in weight in comparison to other dinosaurs of the same family.

What were the male and female names of the species?

There are no distinct names that have been assigned to males and females of this species. They are simply referred to as males, while their female counterparts are known as females.

What would you call a baby Caseosaurus?

Baby dinosaurs like all lizards and reptiles are known as hatchlings as they hatch from eggs. It is no different in the case of the Caseosaurus. Therefore, the baby Caseosaurus was also known as a hatchling, or more accurately it was known as a Caseosaurus hatchling.

What did they eat?

The Caseosaurus were carnivorous dinosaurs, they hunted and fed on the flesh of other animals. It is estimated that these dinosaurs fed on small animals, baby dinosaurs, and other smaller animals that were found in the Triassic age.

How aggressive were they?

The exact aggressive nature of the Caseosaurus is currently unknown due to the lack of sufficient data. However, as they were a species of carnivorous dinosaurs that hunted and prey on other animals, it can be assumed that these predatory dinosaurs had quite an aggressive nature.

Did you know...

The University of Michigan Online Repository of Fossils is the only place on our planet where a 3D model specimen of the Caseosaurus has been kept.

Why are they called Caseosaurus?

The Caseosaurus has been named after Ermine Cowles Case, the scientist who discovered its fossil. Literally, it means Case's lizard or Case's dinosaur.

How many specimens of Caseosaurus were discovered?

As of today, one specimen of a fossil of a Caseosaurus has been discovered In Texas, United States of America.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Chindesaurus facts, or Chaoyangsaurus facts for kids pages.

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

*We've been unable to source an image of Caseosaurus and have used an image of Nanyangosaurus instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Caseosaurus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected]