Species
Compsognathus longipes
Compsognathus longipesCompsognathus longipes was a diminutive, swift theropod that darted across the semi-arid island archipelagos of Late Jurassic Europe. Slender, elongate hindlimbs propelled its featherweight frame with great agility, while a stiffened tail counterbalanced sudden lateral turns during high-speed chases. Fossilized gut contents confirm it targeted small vertebrates, including fast-running lizards swallowed whole.
TheropodJurassicCarnivore
—observations
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—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyBavarisaurus, Rhynchocephalians, Insects
Predators
- Larger theropods
- Crocodyliforms
ThreatsPrehistoric extinction events
HabitatsArid coastal islands, scrublands, and lagoon shores
Life spanEstimated 5–10 years
Classification
- FamilyCompsognathidae
- SpeciesCompsognathus longipes
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct prehistoric species; safe to observe in museum collections.
Responsible observation
- Museum Viewing: Examine original limestone slab casts closely to spot fine skull bones and teeth.
- Comparative Anatomy: Compare its three-fingered hands with early avians to observe theropod evolution.
Prey Leví Bernardo Martínez Reza / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Contemporary Neighbor (c) Pedro José Salas Fontelles, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Sam / Olai Ose / Skjaervoy from Zhangjiagang, China / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Ghedoghedo / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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