Fun Hagryphus Facts For Kids

A feathered, beaked, omnivore, the Hagryphus was an oviraptorosaurian theropod dinosaur that belonged to the Upper or Late Cretaceous period that spanned from 100.5-66 million years ago. Fossil remains were discovered in the Kaiparowits Formation of southern Utah, North America.

As of now, only one species of the genus, Hagryphus giganteus, has been named. The generic name has been derived from the Egyptian 'Ha' which means 'the god of the western desert', while the species name means 'gigantic' in Latin.

The fossil remains suggest that the dinosaur was one of the largest oviraptorosaurs and the average weight and length of the species are said to be around 110 lb (50 kg) and 8-10 ft (2.5-3 m), respectively. Also, the hand of this species was estimated to be about 1 ft (31 cm) long.

The remains were generally attributed to ostrich-like oviraptorosaurs.

It is said that the species became extinct during the Campanian stage that spanned from 76.1-74 million years ago. The discovery of the partial left hand, a distal portion of the left radius, and a few parts of the foot suggest that the species inhabited swampy environments.

The plateau where the species dwelled was dominated by wetland peat swamps, ponds, and lakes surrounded by highlands.

The toothless jaw of these dinosaurs indicates that the diet included eggs, while they also fed on plants and small vertebrates. By looking at their habits and physical features, a group of paleontologists considered them to be true birds.

Let's read more fun facts about the Hagryphus, and if you find this article interesting, don't forget to check out exciting facts about different animals like the Rahonavis and the Ostafrikasaurus.

Hagryphus Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce Hagryphus?

The pronunciation of the term looks to be difficult but if you divide the whole term into a few parts like, 'hag-ree-fus', it becomes quite easy. The generic name has been derived from the Egyptian 'Ha' which means 'the god of the western desert', while the species name means 'gigantic' in Latin.

What type of dinosaur was a Hagryphus?

The Hagryphus giganteus is an oviraptorosaurian theropod dinosaur. The dinosaur belonged to the class of Reptilia, the clade of Dinosauria, and the Hagryphus genus. It is also said that the dinosaur is one of the largest oviraptorosaurs. It was omnivorous and primarily fed on eggs, plants, and small vertebrates.

In which geological period did the Hagryphus roam the earth?

These dinosaurs belonged to the Upper or Late Cretaceous period that spanned from 100.5-66 million years ago.

When did the Hagryphus become extinct?

The discovery of fossils recovered from the Kaiparowits Formation in southern Utah suggests that these dinosaurs became extinct between 76.1-74 million years ago, during the Campanian stage of the Upper Cretaceous age. The reason for extinction is not clear but dinosaurs became extinct due to several reasons such as climate change, volcanic eruption, asteroid impact, and drought.

Where did a Hagryphus live?

The fossils were discovered in the Kaiparowits Formation of Utah, North America. The Kaiparowits Formation was located near the western shore of a large inland sea known as Western Interior Seaway that split the North American continent into two.

What was a Hagryphus's habitat?

The partial left hand, a distal portion of the left radius, and a few parts of the foot of these Hagryphus giganteus dinosaurs suggest that they inhabited swampy environments. The plateau where the species dwelled was dominated by wetland peat swamps, ponds, and lakes, and it was surrounded by highlands.

Who did a Hagryphus live with?

Like modern birds, these dinosaurs of long ago would have been social and would have lived in groups. It is said that these theropods resembled ostriches. Adult dinosaurs must have fed young ones. During the breeding season, they must have formed pairs.

How long did a Hagryphus live?

The average life span of the Late Cretaceous Hargyphus giganteus is not known, but small theropods generally lived shorter lives than big ones.

How did they reproduce?

Very little information regarding the mating pattern of these Late Cretaceous dinosaurs is available, but it is said that these oviraptorosaurs used similar methods to modern-day reptiles and birds. This bird-like dinosaur must have used a sexual mode of reproduction to produce offspring.

Multiple courtship displays may have been used to allure potential partners, and male dinosaurs must have fought with other males over female dinosaurs.

A scientific report suggests that modern-day birds have evolved from theropod dinosaurs. Also, brooding or incubation of eggs is one of the key features that has been discovered in the bird-like dinosaur. It can be said that these creatures must have taken care of the young ones long ago.

Hagryphus Fun Facts

What did a Hagryphus look like?

The fossils of this dinosaur generally resemble the largest living bird, the ostrich. The Hagryphus head was quite small, while the color of Hagryphus giganteus species is not known. The dinosaur also possessed feathers and was bipedal.

The species had an appendage consisting of three digits with sharp claws. The species must have used the sharp beak to prey on eggs, plants, and small vertebrates. The feathered dinosaur is regarded as a wild beast.

How many bones did a Hagryphus have?

The exact number of bones of the dinosaur is not known, but a few preserved body parts such as a partial specimen of a left hand, a specimen of a distal portion of the left radius, and a few preserved parts of the foot were recovered from the Kaiparowits Formation in Utah.

Also, studies reveal that the dinosaur possessed air-filled bones which helped in respiration.

How did they communicate?

Like other dinosaurs, the Hagryphus must have used similar methods to modern-day birds. The species used visual, tactile, and auditory cues to communicate with each other. It must have used alarm calls to warn other members of the group. They also used courtship displays to attract potential partners.

How big was a Hagryphus?

The discovery of fossil remains suggests that this dinosaur was one of the largest oviraptorosaurs, and the average weight and length of the species are said to have been around 110 lb (50 kg) and 8-10 ft (2.5-3 m) respectively. The species was smaller than the Orkoraptor and the Erketu.

How fast could a Hagryphus move?

The exact speed of this dinosaur is not known, but the wings must have acted like a booster that would have helped the creature to travel long distances.

How much did a Hagryphus weigh?

The average weight of this species was around 110 lb (50 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names given to male and female dinosaurs. People generally call them Hagryphus giganteus. Due to their bird-like features, scientists regarded the species as a wild beast.

What would you call a baby Hagryphus?

The babies of the dinosaur, Hagryphus, are known as hatchlings.

What did they eat?

These dinosaurs were omnivorous and their diet included eggs, plants, and small invertebrates.

How aggressive were they?

Very little information regarding the social behavior of the dinosaur is available, but it can be said that like modern birds, these dinosaurs would have been quite territorial. They must have fought with intruders. Studies also reveal that these dinosaurs shared their natural environment with other theropods such as Dromaeosaurids, Troodontid, Ornithomimids, and Tyrannosaurids.

Did you know...

Titanosauria was the biggest dinosaur in the world. The estimated weight would have been between 77–88 tons (69853-79832 kg).

The species belonged to the third and final period of the Mesozoic Era.

Did they hunt?

Like other theropods, the species was known as a ruthless thief, while the term 'oviraptor' means 'egg thief'. The discovery of theropod remains is largely associated with nests of dinosaur eggs.

What's unique about the Hagryphus?

The species is best known for its toothless beak, powerful arms, and daunting claws.

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 Caviramus facts or Tupuxuara facts for kids.

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

* We've been unable to source an image of Hagryphus and have used an image of Archaeopteryx instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Hagryphus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.