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The First Dinosaurs: Herrerasaurus

© Mary M. Alward

At the same time that Eorapter roamed Earth, so did another dinosaur called, "Herrerasaurus" (pronounced huh-Rare-uh-Sore-us). It was much larger than Eoraptor. It is believed that Herrerasaurus preyed on Eoraptor.

Herrerasaurus means "Herrera's Lizard." This dinosaur was 4 feet (2.3 meters) high, 10 feet (3 meters) long, and weighed about 80 lbs. (38 kilos) It was vicious and could move very fast. It was first discovered in South America in 1993. It was a meat eater and had a wide variety of creatures to hunt. Many of the animals that Herrerasaurus ate became extinct at the end of the Triassic Period.

Before the Triassic Period, reptile-like creatures roamed the land. These were dominant (in control) until dinosaurs evolved. They were not as quick moving as dinosaurs and became a food source for the much larger and faster species. Herrerasaurus also ate amphibians and large insects that lived during that era.

Scientists have had some trouble finding just where Herrerasaurus fits into the evolution equation (where it belongs). It has the traits and characteristics of dinosaurs that lived in the later Jurassic Period. It doesn't fit into the family of any other dinosaurs. However, for the time being it is still being classed as a dinosaur. This may change in the future if scientists are able to figure out exactly where Herrerasaurus belongs.

Herrerasaurus had cone-shaped, serrated teeth. Its jaw was more flexible than that of Eoraptors, which helped it to secure its prey. Its front feet were shaped like those of dinosaurs that appeared later. The front legs were much shorter than the back. Its size was more like that of dinosaurs that appeared in the Jurassic Period.

Do these differences suggest that Herrerasaurus was only a sister to dinosaurs? Some scientists think so. Others feel that Herrerasaurus was either a Sauischian or theropod.

Whatever the case, the existence of these larger creatures suggests that dinosaurs evolved again at the end of the Triassic Period. Changes were about to take place.

Learn about prehistoric days in Flo Cardinal's article, Back to the Beginning. Flo writes a brand new topic here a Kids' Korner, Canadian History for Kids.

Want to visit some great dinosaur sites? Read Wayne Dawe's article, "Godzilla they aren't, but big dinosaur sites they are."

Graphics courtesy of "ClassroomClipart"

That ends the articles on dinosaurs for the time being. I'll be writing about the Jurassic Period later in the year.

The copyright of the article The First Dinosaurs: Herrerasaurus in Science for Kids is owned by Mary M. Alward. Permission to republish The First Dinosaurs: Herrerasaurus in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.