Tara Summerville | Dino Digest

The Herrerasaurus is the grandpa of all dinosaurs. As a fierce carnivore, this speedy saurischia had a flexible jaw, teeth like razors, and hollow bones that allowed it to move like a bolt of lightning. As of today, it is one of the oldest dinosaur fossils on record and lived in the late period of the Triassic age, almost 250 million years ago. Some Quick Facts about the Herrerasaurus A Herrerausaurus skeleton NameHerrerasaurus (meaning “Herrera’s Lizard”)Type of dinosaurSauropodTerritoryGrasslands, South AmericaSize3.6 feet long, 20 feet tallColorBrownishInteresting CharacteristicsSmall arms, razor-sharp teethDietSmall reptiles and birdsMajor ThreatsNatural disasters The Herrerasaurus was first discovered in the mid-1900s and is one of the oldest dinos to walk planet earth. It was a quick and nimble carnivore that tore into its prey with its sharp teeth. At the time, it didn’t have a lot of dinosaur friends. During the Triassic period, dinosaurs were rare. Along with the Saurosuchus, Anatosuchus, Eoraptor, the Herrerasaurus was one of the few dinosaurs that lived during this time. Was the Herrerasaurus One of the First Dinosaurs? Herrerasaurus restoration During the Triassic period, dinosaurs weren’t the star of the show. Instead, reptiles called pseudosuchians roamed the Earth, and what we know as dinosaurs took a back seat. However, the Herrerasaurus changed all that. Once the fierce Herrerasaurus showed up, the age of the dinosaurs began. The Herrerasaurus (or herrerasauridae) is one of the earliest dinosaurs that walked planet Earth. These early dinosaurs were small, but don’t let their small size fool you. With teeth like razor blades and powerful legs, these hungry carnivores were super strong and a little scary. Why is the Herrerasaurus Fossil Important? The discovery of the first Herrasaurus fossil was super important. It was first spotted in the Ischigualasto Formation near San Juan, Argentina, South America. During the Triassic period, 250 million years ago, most fossils discovered were of non-dinosaur replies. The Herrerasaurus was one of the first dinosaurs found during the late Triassic period. Think of the Herrerasaurus as the grandfather to all dinosaurs. That’s a pretty significant discovery! The discovery of the Herrerasaurus fossil wasn’t all that long ago. A rancher named Victorino Herrera found small pieces of this tiny T. rex-like creature, and it’s named after him! Herrersaurus means “Herrera’s Lizard.” Victorino Herrera found small pieces of the Herrerasaurus, but it wasn’t enough to learn much about this original theropod dinosaur. It wasn’t until 1988 that paleontologists Paul Sereno found a complete skull of this Theropoda in the Ischigualasto Formation of northwestern Argentina. What Did a Herrerasaurus Look Like? Herrerasaurus The Herrerasaurus looked like a tiny T. rex. It had long feet, strong hind limbs, short forelimbs, and a strong lower jaw. Its teeth were super sharp, like razor blades, that it used to catch and eat its prey. Its unique ability to run fast to catch its prey quickly made it a strong predator. This ability is one of the main reasons dinosaurs thrived later in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. While its teeth were scary, it also used its long legs to chase down its prey. Its arms were short but were perfect for grabbing onto other animals and eating them with its sharp teeth. The Herrerasaurus was one of the first saurischian dinosaurs because it had “lizard hips.” This meant that its hip bones were tilted forward rather than backward (like a bird). Other saurischian dinosaurs include the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptor, and Dilophosaurus. Did a Herrerasaurus Eat Meat? With such sharp teeth, the Herrerasaurus lived on only meat. Dinosaurs that only eat meat are called carnivores. Some scientists believe it hunted animals like Rhynchosaurs, Aetosaurs, and small lizards. Others believe it didn’t hunt its prey but scavenged for the meat of dead animals. So, how do we know that the Herrerasaurus ate meat? The biggest clue is in their mouth! These carnivorous dinosaurs had super sharp teeth that curved inward that were perfect for ripping into meat. Dinosaurs that only ate plants, or herbivores, had small, flat teeth for smashing the leaves of trees. The Herrerasaurus also used their small front arms to hold their prey in place while they ate. They used their strong back legs to run fast and tiny front claws to grab. They also had hollow bones, which made them very light and quick. When Did Herrerasaurus Go Extinct? The Herrerasaurus went extinct about 200 million years ago. As the grandfather to other dinos that thrived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, other dinos that were faster and larger took charge. While its excellent hunting abilities helped it to thrive during the late Triassic periods, larger and quicker dinosaurs quickly evolved to take its place. Did You Know This about the Herrerasaurus? The discovery of the Herrerasaurus marked the very first dinosaur that walked planet Earth. But did you know that neither scientists nor paleontologists didn’t make this amazing discovery? The man that found the first prehistoric dinosaur fossils, Victorino Herrera, was a goat herder! Also, the lower jaw of the Herrerasaurus was unique. It was able to flex its lower jaw to wrap around its prey. That’s some pretty scary stuff!