Fun Zephyrosaurus Facts For Kids

The Zephyrosaurus which means 'westward wind lizard' is a dinosaur from the genus of Orodromine ornithischian dinosaurs. It is closely related to the Orodromeus.

This dinosaur was discovered in the Aptian-Albian-age Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation of Carbon County, Montana, USA. The Zephyrosaurus schaffi, also known as the westward wind lizard, became extinct sometime during the Late Cretaceous period, nearly 110-120 million years ago. It is assumed that these animals were burrowing animals, which means they dug the earth to find food.

Among other distinctive characteristics of these dinosaurs, it is said to have a steep face and a raised knob on the upper jaw. The typical Zephyrosaurus diet primarily consisted of plants and seeds.

For more relatable content, check out these Austroraptor facts and Sanjuansaurus facts for kids.

Zephyrosaurus Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce 'Zephyrosaurus'?

Zephyrosaurus pronunciation is simply 'Zef-e-ir-sore-us'. This Zephyrosaurus pronunciation is quite simple and easy to remember, especially when compared to the other dinosaur species related to this family.

What type of dinosaur was a Zephyrosaurus?

Zephyrosaurus means 'westward wind lizard' is it is a dinosaur from the genus of Orodromine ornithischian dinosaurs that is closely related to the Orodromeus. These dinosaurs' main characteristics are a partial skull and a steep face. Its fossil fragments were discovered in the Aptian-Albian-age Lower Cretaceous Aptian-Albian-period Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation of Carbon County, North America.

In which geological period did Zephyrosaurus roam the earth?

The Zephyrosaurus schaffi, known as the westward wind lizard, roamed the earth during the Aptian-Albian period, which is in the Lower Cretaceous age. Its fossil remains were found in the Cloverly Formation of Carbon County in North America.

When did Zephyrosaurus become extinct?

The Zephyrosaurus schaffi, also known as the westward wind lizard, became extinct sometime during the Late Cretaceous period, nearly 110-120 million years ago. These dinosaurs roamed the earth for a fairly long period of time before becoming extinct.

Where did Zephyrosaurus live?

The westward wind lizard lived in vast terrestrial habitats like forests, grasslands, deserts, shorelines, and wetlands. The primary location of these dinosaurs was ‬Montana,‭ ‬Carbon County-Cloverly Formation, North America.

What was the Zephyrosaurus' habitat?

The primary location of the Zephyrosaurus schaffi fossil, also known as the westward wind lizard, was in Montana,‭ ‬Carbon County-‬Cloverly Formation, North America. They lived in forests, grasslands, deserts, shorelines, and wetlands. Their diet primarily consisted of plants and seeds as they belonged to the classification of herbivore dinosaurs.

The Zephyrosaurus was capable of a rare act called cranial kinesis. Cranial kinesis means moving the jaw in directions other than the usual up and down chewing motion.

Characteristics on some of the teeth suggest that the skull and jaw could move in other directions resulting in cranial kinesis. Other bones and teeth also suggest the possibility of dynamic jaw movement. It is assumed that these were burrowing animals, which means they dug the earth to find food.

Who did Zephyrosaurus live with?

These dinosaurs lived in small groups of two or three or with other dinosaurs of similar species and genera.

How long did a Zephyrosaurus live?

The exact timeline of the existence of these dinosaurs is not known. However, what we do know is that they lived during the Late Cretaceous period, nearly 110-120 million years ago. These dinosaurs would have lived for at least a million years, if not more.

How did they reproduce?

The exact reproduction process of the Zephyrosaurus is not known to us. But as suggested by its remains, this dinosaur was an egg-laying species similar to most reptiles of today. It is assumed that this species laid an average of two to five eggs. It is also assumed that these dinosaurs reproduced similarly to modern-day reptiles.

Zephyrosaurus Fun Facts

What did Zephyrosaurus look like?

The remains of these dinosaurs include a partial skull and a post-cranial skeleton with mid-sized ‭vertebrae and ribs. Among other distinctive characteristics of these dinosaurs, it is said to have a steep face and a raised knob on the upper jaw.

The larger knob is situated on the cheekbone. Some of the bones may have allowed movement within the skull called cranial kinesis which means moving the jaw in directions other than the usual and simple up and down chewing motion.

Like other Orodromines, it had a prominent beak and sharp teeth. The shape and remains of their teeth suggested the possibility of dynamic jaw movement.

This dinosaur had long feet that almost resemble those of a kangaroo. The shape of the feet suggests that this dinosaur could jump and hop around easily.

How many bones did a Zephyrosaurus have?

This dinosaur had a mid-sized skeleton with multiple bones found across the globe in terrestrial regions. Despite knowing so much about the genus and family of this dinosaur, the exact number of bones in its body has not been accurately determined. The remains of its body suggest that it had some very prominent jaw and skull bones.

How did they communicate?

These dinosaurs may have used loud voices and visual forms of communication. The exact model of communication that took place between these dinosaurs is not yet known to man. But it is assumed that they might have used their voices and body language. Paleontologists still need to explore the exact mode of communication in order to draw a conclusion.

How big was the Zephyrosaurus?

This dinosaur was not very large but not too small either. It was approximately 5.9 ft (1.8 m) long and 3 ft (91.4 cm) tall.

How fast could a Zephyrosaurus move?

‬It is a known fact that whilst large predatory dinosaurs were out foraging, the Zephyrosaurus would have relied upon speed and agility to try and stay out of the mouths of predators. This implies that the Zephyrosaurus were fast runners that could move swiftly.

How much did a Zephyrosaurus weigh?

The average Zephyrosaurus weight is not yet known to mankind. Visually, this animal is a mid-sized animal which is why it may have not weighed much.

What were the male and female names of the species?

No specific names were given to male and female dinosaurs of this species.

What would you call a baby Zephyrosaurus?

Dinosaurs are hatched from eggs, therefore new baby dinosaurs can be called hatchlings.

What did they eat?

These dinosaurs were herbivores in nature. The typical Zephyrosaurus diet primarily consisted of plants and seeds and other green leaves that they could find in their habitat.

How aggressive were they?

These were non-aggressive animals. In fact, they often fell prey to many other aggressive and bigger dinosaurs. These animals are herbivorous and did not harm any other species of dinosaurs

Did you know...

This dinosaur species was classified as a burrowing creature as they would hide their food by digging burrows in the surface of the earth.

Why are they called Zephyrosaurus?

This dinosaur is called Zephyrosaurus which means 'westward wind lizard'. Initial evidence of this dinosaur may have resembled lizards, hence the name.

Where was Zephyrosaurus discovered?

This dinosaur was discovered in the Aptian-Albian-age Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation of Carbon County, Montana, USA.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other dinosaurs from our Notoceratops interesting facts and Marginocephalians fun facts for kids pages.

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

Second image by Emily Willoughby.

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