Atreipus

† Atreipus is a Late Triassic ichnospecies from the eastern United States representing dinosauriform trackways. The three-toed footprints, found in Carnian-age red beds of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, are attributed to small bipedal archosaurs and provide body-fossil-independent evidence for the early radiation of dinosauriform locomotion.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Atreipus was a meat-eating predator. Carnivorous dinosaurs were active hunters or scavengers, equipped with sharp teeth and claws for catching and consuming prey. They occupied the top of the food chain in their ecosystems.

Time Period

Triassic Late Mesozoic Era

Atreipus lived during the Triassic Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 237,0 to 201,4 million years ago.

The first true dinosaurs appeared during the late Triassic, including early theropods like Eoraptor and Herrerasaurus. Dinosaurs were still small and not yet dominant. The period ended with the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event.