Fun Struthiomimus Facts For Kids

The Struthiomimus is an extinct group of Ornithomimid dinosaurs found in North America. The Struthiomimus dinosaur was seen in the late Cretaceous period. These dinosaurs from the family Ornithomimidae were long-legged and ostrich-like and the skeleton also somewhat matches an ostrich skeleton. They were similarly bipedal. The Cretaceous dinosaur was known to have a toothless beak. It is considered one of the most common small dinosaur species seen in Dinosaur Provincial Park. Due to their higher population, many consider these dinosaurs to be omnivores or herbivores and not carnivores. The dinosaur's name means 'ostrich mimic' which is a combination of two Greek words: stroutheios meaning 'of the ostrich' and mimos meaning 'mimic' or 'imitator'.

There is one species of Struthiomimus known called Struthiomimus altus (Lambe 1902). These dinosaurs probably lived around 99 million to 65 million years ago. In 1901, Lawrence Lambe discovered some incomplete remains and he was the first to name them Ornithomimus altus, placing them in the same genus as earlier described by Othniel Charles Marsh. We will learn about the description of the species of dinosaurs in later topics. Legs of the Struthiomimus were long and known to be quite strong which were probably well-versed to run quickly. This ostrich-like behavior helped scientists and they described and named the species ostrich mimic. Speed was probably the dinosaur's main defense against predators. It probably could even attack with its hind claws if caught, similar to Tyrannosaurs (e.g. the Gorgosaurus and the Daspletosaurus) and Dromaeosaurids (e.g. the Saurornitholestes and the Dromaeosaurus). All these dinosaurs were known to live in the same time period. Feeding habits of the Struthiomimus were confusing as some say the dinosaur ate buds and shoots of trees and plants, while others say it might have preyed on smaller animals too.

Similar to the Ornithomimid Gallimimus, feathers were present like on most of its relatives. The best preserved Struthiomimus skeleton is kept currently on display at the American Museum of Natural History, in Manhattan, New York in the USA.

For more relatable content on other dinosaurs, you can rely on us. Check out these Eodromaeus facts and Archaeoceratops fun facts for kids.

How do you pronounce 'Struthiomimus'?

The pronunciation of the name Struthiomimus is 'Struth-ee-oh-meem-us'.

What type of dinosaur was a Struthiomimus?

The Struthiomimus (ostrich mimic) is a genus of dinosaurs found in North America during the late Cretaceous period. Although Lambe found some incomplete remains in 1901, a nearly complete skeleton was found in the Red Deer River site in Alberta, Canada by Barnum Brown. It was officially described as a separate genus in 1917 by Henry Fairfield Osborn. Fossils of the dinosaur have also been seen in the Horseshoe Canyon formation of Alberta, Canada.

One species of Struthiomimus is known as the S. altus.

In which geological period did the Struthiomimus roam the Earth?

The new species of Struthiomimus was known to live in the late Cretaceous period in North America.

When did the Struthiomimus become extinct?

We do not have a clear idea of this information but this dinosaur was known to live around 75 to 80 million years ago.

Where did a Struthiomimus live?

Theories and the fossil found of the dinosaur suggest that it was probably endemic to North America. These dinosaurs were commonly found in Dinosaur Provincial Park. In 1914, a nearly complete skeleton was found in Alberta, Canada at the Red Deer River site.

Fossils have also been found in the Horseshoe Canyon formation of Alberta.

What was a Struthiomimus's habitat?

This was a terrestrial species and many theories suggest that these dinosaurs were shore-dwellers.

Who did a Struthiomimus live with?

There is no information on the company these dinosaurs used to keep. Going by the size, they probably stayed in a small group or in pairs but we cannot be sure of this fact.

How long did a Struthiomimus live?

The life span of the species is not known as there is not enough evidence to judge how long these dinosaurs might have lived.

How did they reproduce?

There is no information on the reproduction of this species. We just know that the species was oviparous and laid eggs to reproduce. The number of eggs is not known. Dinosaurs usually laid a cluster of around three to five eggs and sometimes those numbers could even go up to 20.

What did a Struthiomimus look like?

The bipedal species weighed around 330 lb (149.6 kg) and was not that big of a dinosaur. The long neck was slender. The long neck was also known to be end in a small, toothless, beaked skull, with large eyes. Arms were long and strong and hand claws were quite strong. Hand claws were also used to grasp. Jaws were toothless and the vertebral column had 16 back vertebrae, 10 neck vertebrae, six hip vertebrae, and some tail vertebrae. Limbs helped to grasp branches of trees. Legs (hind limbs) were long and helped the dinosaur run.

Struthiomimus dinosaurs had similar builds to ornithomimids. They differ from closely related genera Ornithomimus and Gallimimus in proportions and anatomical details. Small, slender hands were present and legs of the Struthiomimus were long.

How many bones did a Struthiomimus have?

The number of bones is not known.

How did they communicate?

Dinosaurs were known to communicate vocally or visually. We don't know how these dinosaurs used to communicate. The posture of these dinosaurs was like a walking tripod.

How big was a Struthiomimus?

The estimated length of the dinosaur is 14 ft (4.2 m).

The estimated height is around 4 ft (1.2 m).

How fast could a Struthiomimus move?

Hind limbs of Struthiomimus were known to be long and powerful and good for running. Much like an ostrich, speed was probably the main area where these dinosaurs could outrun their predators easily. The dinosaur could probably run at speeds of 30-50 mph (48.2-80.4 kph). The speed of this species was its main defense.

How much did a Struthiomimus weigh?

The Struthiomimus altus weighed around 330 lb (149.6 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

We don't know the name of males and females of the species.

What would you call a baby Struthiomimus?

The name of the baby is not known.

What did they eat?

Habits have been elaborately discussed and it has been found that because of the dinosaur's beak shape which was straight, the species might have preferred both meat and plants. Some even say the dinosaur lived on the shore.

Although this theory isn't proven, Osborn, the person who was known for naming the dinosaur proposed that feeding habits of Struthiomimus dinosaur included shrubs, trees, and many other plants. The dinosaur used forelimbs to hold branches and also the neck to browse. The long neck helped in this. Fingers were probably stuck together by skin as a single unit as seen in the second and third fingers. The dinosaur probably used the hand as a clamp or hook. This further supports the claim of these dinosaurs being herbivores.

How aggressive were they?

They were probably not very aggressive, but if they were omnivores as some believe them to be, then some sort of aggressive behavior was probably seen. Similar to an ostrich in its body shape and size, the speed of this dinosaur was enough to evade a predator.

Did you know...

If you don't want to visit the American Museum of Natural History in New York to get a better glimpse of the complete Struthiomimus skeleton, you can also play the video game Jurassic World: Evolution to get a good look at the Struthiomimus. Jurassic World: Evolution employs this dinosaur as a starting dinosaur while playing.

The Struthiomimus (meaning ostrich mimic) is one of the more common small dinosaurs of Dinosaur Provincial Park.

Lambe found some remains and named them Ornithomimus altus, with the species name altus meaning lofty or noble in Latin. He also placed the species in the same genus as material earlier described in 1890 by Othniel Charles Marsh.

The species was first discovered in the late 19th century by Marsh and as it was incomplete, the species was classified as a Struthiomimus sedens. This might represent a new species of the genus, but this is not concrete yet.

First known fossils of the Struthiomimus were categorized as an Ornithomimus sedens by Marsh.

Did the Struthiomimus eat eggs?

No information is provided regarding this.

However, in Land Before Time, these dinosaurs were called egg stealers as they stole eggs from nests to eat.

What environment did the Struthiomimus live in?

They probably lived near shores or in terrestrial habitats.

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 Concavenator facts, or Camarillasaurus interesting facts for kids.

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

Main image by Etemenanki3.