The bird-hipped Lesothosaurus was a herbivorous (plant-eating) dinosaur that roamed southern Africa during the early Jurassic period. It was a lizard-like dinosaur, measuring just over 6 feet long. However, physical characteristics such as the teeth and hip structure suggest that the Lesothosaurus was closely related to the later ornithischian dinosaurs.
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Some Quick Facts about the Lesothosaurus
| Name | Lesothosaurus (meaning “Lesotho lizard”) |
| Type of dinosaur | Ornithischian dinosaur (bird-hipped) |
| Territory | South African woodlands and plains |
| Size | Tiny, 3.25 feet long, 1.5 feet tall |
| Color | Brownish |
| Interesting Characteristics | Small-sized, small, bipedal, sharp teeth, small head with very large eyes |
| Diet | Mostly plant material (herbivorous) |
| Major Threats | Large predators and changing climatic conditions |
The bird-hipped Lesothosaurus dinosaur was a tiny plant-eater (herbivore) that lived in South Africa and Lesotho during the early Jurassic period, approximately 176–201 million years ago.
The Lesothosaurus was an early dinosaur with a slightly built, lizard-like body. It was a fast, active runner measuring 3 feet long. It had two relatively long legs, four toes, five fingers, short arms, and a long, pointed tail. It had a short, flat head with very large eyes. It also had sharp cheek teeth and front teeth, but the lower jaw was toothless. Read on to learn more about the bird-hipped Lesothosaurus and its lifestyle.
Is the Lesothosaurus the Smallest Dinosaur?
This was not the smallest dino. The Oculudentavis Khaungraae is considered to be the smallest dinosaur ever discovered. Its weight was less than an ounce, and it could fit in the palm of a person’s hand. It was tinier than the smallest bird known today, the modern bee hummingbird.
That said, it is difficult to determine which prehistoric creatures were small or large based on their fossil remains. For example, the fossils could be from a juvenile dinosaur, versus one that was fully grown.
The Lesothosaurus, a small bipedal dinosaur, inhabited Africa between the late Triassic period and the early Jurassic period, approximately 176–201 million years ago. The Lesothosaurus had short forelimbs and long hind limbs, which allowed it to run very quickly when being chased by large predators.
Large predators at the time included crocodilians and pterosaurs. The Heterodontosaurus, Lanasaurus, Massospondylus, and Thecodontosaurus were among the other small dinosaurs that lived in South Africa during the early Jurassic period.
What Did a Lesothosaurus Eat?
Another thing you should know about the Lesothosaurus dinosaur is that it was a known herbivore (plant-eater). This small dinosaur had a long snout with a beak-like tip. It was blessed with a lot of front teeth and many more grinding teeth at the back.
Like other early dinos, the Lesothosaurus was incapable of chewing its food. Its jaws were lined with jagged teeth that would fit into each other in a chopping motion, making it easier for it to consume its vegetables and other plant material. Some paleontologists also claim that the Lesothosaurus was an omnivore that sometimes ate insects as well.
Where Was the Lesothosaurus Found?
In 1978, paleontologist Peter Galton found fossil remains comprising four skulls and partial skeletal remains in Lesotho, South Africa, particularly in the Upper Elliot Formation. The creature was named Lesothosaurus, meaning “lizard from Lesotho.”
Lots of other worn-down teeth were discovered in the area. Two of them were the paltry remains of what appeared to be curled-up teeth, and researchers believe that these miniature dinosaurs might have died when hibernating underground to hide from the hot sun.
What Is a Lesothosaurus’ Closest Living Relative?
The Lesothosaurus is probably related to the Fabrosaurus.
The Lesothosaurus was placed in the family Fabrosauridae, which comprises early ornithopods such as the Gongbusaurus, Xiaosaurus, Technosaurus, Nanosaurus, and the Lufengocephalus. They belonged to Ornithischia, a major order of the super-order Dinosauria.
Unlike the Lesothosaurus and many other early Ornithischian dinosaurs (like Pisanosaurus), the Fabrosaurids had no cheek pouches. Paleontologists believe that the Fabrosaurids were ancestors of the later ornithischian dinosaurs.
Gazelles are widely considered to be the closest relatives of the Lesothosaurus because of their similar lifestyles. They are both known for looking for food on low-lying plant material, scanning their environment for signs of danger, and running fast when a predator is near.