Coelophysidae

† Coelophysidae is a family of early carnivorous theropod dinosaurs known from the Late Triassic through Early Jurassic. Lightly built, cursorial predators, coelophysids are among the most primitive theropods and achieved wide geographic distribution across Pangaea. South African representatives document their presence on the Gondwanan portion of the supercontinent.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Coelophysidae 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

Jurassic Early Mesozoic Era

Coelophysidae lived during the Jurassic Early period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 201,4 to 174,7 million years ago.

After the Triassic-Jurassic extinction, dinosaurs rapidly diversified and became the dominant land vertebrates. Early sauropods and theropods began to evolve larger body sizes.