Compsognathus Facts for Kids – 5 Courageous Facts about The Compsognathus

Not all dinosaurs are massively huge in size. Come and check our five courageous Compsognathus facts for kids.

Compsognathus Facts for Kids Fact Number 1: The Compsognathus Was Quite Small

For some time the Compsognathus was known as the smallest dinosaur ever discovered. However an even dinosaur called the Oculudentavis naga took this title. The Compsognathus grew to be about the size of a large chicken, reaching a length of 3 feet.

It weighed roughly 12 pounds. The Compsognathus had large eyes, which probably means that it had good eyesight. 

Compsognathus Facts for Kids Fact Number 2: They Lived During The Late Jurassic period

Compsognathus can be quite a hard word to say. It is pronounced as “comp-sog-nuh-thus”. The Compsognathus was roaming around the Earth roughly 150 million years ago.The fossil remains of this dinosaur were found in Europe.

One of the Compsognathus fossils was found in Germany while another Compsognathus fossil was found in France. These dinosaurs lived and hunted around Europe during the Late Jurassic period. From thai we can tell that the Compsognathus liked a warm climate.

Compsognathus Facts for Kids Fact Number 3: They Were Carnivores

You may think because of their small size, that Compsognathus were herbivores but they were actually meat-eaters. Compsognathus hunted smaller animals such as lizards and insects in forests. The Compsognathus was also a quick runner.

Its speed helped it to capture its prey. They also had short arms with two clawed fingers on each hand, which made it easier to pick up their prey.

Compsognathus Facts for Kids Fact Number 4: Compsognathus Was a Member of The Theropod Group

Theropods were meat eaters that walked on their two back legs. The Compsognathus had a very long tail, which was half the length of its body. They used their tail for balance and it is also said that it helped the Compsognathus make sharp turns while running.

It is thought by scientists that the Compsognathus had hollow bones which allowed it to run much faster. The Compsognathus was covered in small feathers.

Compsognathus Facts for Kids Fact Number 5: A Fossil Found in Germany Gave Detail on The Compsognathus’ Diet

The Compsognathus was first discovered by Dr. Oberndorfer in limestone deposits in f Bavaria, southern Germany in the late 1850’s. The dinosaur was named by Johann A. Wagner in 1859 and a couple of years later, Othniel C. Marsh confirmed that the fossil was indeed a dinosaur. 

Only two Compsognathus fossils have been found, one in Germany and one in France. It is thought because of their small and agile size that many fossils belonging to the Compsognathus would not have survived throughout time.

One Compsognathus fossil contained a tiny skeleton inside its rib cage. The skeleton was that of a small lizard, telling us today that the dinosaur was a carnivore.

We hope you enjoyed learning more things about Compsognathus as much as we loved teaching you about them. Now that you know how majestic this dinosaur is, you can move on to learn about other dinosaurs, animals and birds like: Albertosaurus, Herbivorous Dinosaurs, Swimming Dinosaurs, Carnivorous Dinosaurs, Flying Dinosaurs, Extinct Animal, Dinosaurs, Jurassic Park, Dinosaurs Facts, Fossils, Mammoth, Octopuses, Seals, Weasels, Dolphins, Kangaroos, Reindeer, Leopards and Jaguars, Rabbits, Turtles, Nocturnal Animals and Flamingos. 

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