FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Many fossil-remains tracing back to the Halticosaurus were discovered from Germany but most of them were restructured to other genera. In the end, the Halticosaurus dinosaur was left with fragments of only a single fossil. The fossils of the type species of the Halticosaurus genus, Halticosaurus longotarsus were discovered in 1908 for the first time. A second species called Halticosaurus orbitoangulatus was discovered in 1932 and a third one called Liliensternus liliensterni was found in 1934.
Liliensternus liliensterni was named by Von Huene first who included them as a member of the Halticosaurus genus. They were reclassified under the Liliensternus genus. Rauhut and Hungerbuhler also classified the dinosaur species Orbitoangulatus under the genus Saltoposuchus based on the structure of its jaw and teeth. All these dinosaurs, when they were discovered were believed to be Halticosaurus and their bones aged back to the Late Triassic age. However, most of the Halticosaurus fragments were indeterminate as mentioned by Rauhut and Hungerbuhler. To know more facts about this dinosaur, keep on reading these amazing facts.
For similar content, check out Trinisaura facts, or Jingshanosaurus fun facts for kids too.
Halticosaurus is an ancient genus of dinosaurs that lived in the Triassic period. The English name of the Halticosaurus is pronounced as hal-tick-oh-sore-us. The name Halticosaurus is a synonym for nimble lizard.
The Halticosaurus is a type of theropod dinosaur genus that belonged to the late Triassic period. Apart from Halticosaurus longotarsus, Friedrich Von Huene described the dinosaur Liliensternus liliensterni as one of the members of the halticosaurus genus. Halticosaurus liliensterni is the type species of Liliensternus genus and the combination of these two genera results in Liliensternus liliensterni. The species H. liliensterni is a type of neotheropoda dinosaur which is the advanced version of the theropod dinosaur that lived between the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic period.
The species of Halticosaurus are European Triassic dinosaurs that came into existence during the upper Triassic stage in the Middle Stubensandstein formation that is, present Germany. They belonged to the Norian stage of the upper Triassic epoch. The Norian stage is the intermediate stage between the last three periods of the late Triassic age that is the age between the Carnian and the Rhaetian age. Geologically, the Norian stage lasted from 228 million years ago to 208.5 million years ago. The type species of the Halticosaurus genus like, Halticosaurus longotarsus, the second species Halticosaurus orbitoangulatus, and the third species H. liliensterni or Liliensternus liliensterni were found during the middle part of this Norian stage that is around 215.6 million years ago.
The Halticosaurus dinosaurs were a part of the late European Triassic epoch and they belonged to the Norian geological stage of the Triassic. This stage lasted from 228 million years ago to 208 million years ago. However, the fragments of the Halticosaurus dated back to the middle phase of the Norian age. Their remains are 215.6 million years old and it is believed that the race ended with the end of the Norian age and the start of the Rhaetian age. This transition between the two stages took place 208 million years ago.
The fragmentary fossils of the Halticosaurus longotarsus were the first fossils to be discovered from the group Halticosaurus. Their fossils were collected from the Middle Stubensandstein formation which is known as Germany at present and some of them were also reported from Moon-Airel Formation in France.
The Halticosaurus lived in primitive European habitats. They roamed around the lowlands and floodplains of present western Europe. They were highly territorial so they were predominantly found in territorial habitats.
A Halticosaurus dinosaur was assumed to be a carnivorous dinosaur. The clade lived on the earth with other of the same era and belonged to the family of coelophysoids. Even though they coexisted with the dinosaurs of other families and genera of the upper Triassic era, it is believed that the species among themselves lived solitarily. They were highly territorial in nature and feasted on the flesh of other small dinosaurs on their own. This species was never known to live in groups or herd with the same or other similar species.
After studying the structure of the remains it was inferred that the Halticosaurus was an ancient carnivorous theropod dinosaur that belonged to the Late Triassic. The Halticosaurus came into being during the middle of the Norian age of the upper Triassic and lasted for eight million years. They came into existence 216 million years ago and perished 208 million years ago.
The reproductive practices of the Halticosaurus could not be determined by the fossils that were discovered. Like all dinosaurs, they also laid eggs but specific details about them are absent.
The Halticosaurus meaning nimble lizard is an ancient dinosaur whose morphological structure has been described by the recovered fossils. They had a low and shallow jaw connected to a long neck. The vertebrate of the hip is narrower. They also have a long skull that measures 18.1 in (46 cm).
The number of bones that Halticosaurus had is unknown since only a partial structure of their bone structure has been discovered as fossils.
Like all dinosaurs, the Halticosaurus also communicated using vocalizations and visual receptions.
The average length of a Halticosaurus dinosaur is 18 ft (5.5 m). They are around three times bigger than Anabisetia.
The name Halticosaurus means nimble lizard that is good at jumping. They had nimble bones therefore, it is considered that they were well adapted in moving by jumping movements but their speed is unknown.
The theropod clade of dinosaurs had a hollow bone structure, so the Halticosaurus is believed to be light-weighted although the actual weight is unknown.
The male and female dinosaur do not have any specific names. Both are called Halticosaurus dinosaurs.
A baby dinosaur is called nestling or hatchling.
The Halticosaurus were flesh-eaters but their common prey is unknown.
The Halticosaurus were carnivorous in nature and were considered to be an apex predator of their region.
There is another report of the Halticosaurus dinosaur fossil remains that were discovered from another part of Germany. These remains date back to 208 million years ago to 201 million years ago which falls in the Rhaetian age.
Only a single fossil remain of Haticosaurus longotarsus was discovered from Germany. They were described for the first time in 1908 by Friedrich Von Huene. Von Huene classified them as a member of the Saurischian family. The fossil remains that were discovered consisted of the incomplete neck, crushed skull, partial jawbones with teeth, and incomplete fragments of the back, neck, hip, humerus, and tail vertebrate.
The Halticosaurus were carnivorous in nature which suggests that they had strong teeth. However since partial jaw structure was discovered, the actual morphology of the teeth cannot be inferred.
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 Coelurus facts, or Aublysodon fun facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable dinosaur spring coloring pages.
Main image by Nobu Tamura
Second image by Ghedoghedo
Read The Disclaimer
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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