Anteavis crurilongus

†Anteavis crurilongus was a small carnivorous bird or bird-like dinosaur from the Late Triassic of Argentina. Known from long shin bones (as its name implies), it represents an early and poorly understood lineage in the initial avian or avian-adjacent radiation. Its discovery in Triassic South American strata is significant for understanding deep-time origins of bird-like forms.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Anteavis crurilongus 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

Anteavis crurilongus 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.