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Compsognathus is an extinct genus compsognathid theropod dinosaur that lived in Germany and France during the Late Jurassic period. This little pack hunter probably ate bugs and small lizards. In fact, the first fossil skeleton of this dinosaur had the remains of its last meal, a lizard, still in its stomach.
Compsognathus is one of those dinosaurs around which some controversy swirls. Some paleontologists feel that, like the much larger Tyrannosaurus, the little Compsognathus had only two fingers. Others feel strongly that it had three. Since there are only two known fossils, and the bones are not perfectly preserved in an articulated (as they were in life) manner, it may take more discoveries to solve this issue.
Compsognathus is considered an important link in the study of bird evolution. The original fossil of this dinosaur was found in the same place as Archaeopteryx, the early feathered reptile. Compsognathus shares a number of characteristics with this creature, and close relatives of Compsognathus like Sinosauropteryx that had their skin preserved show the group had downy feathers in reality. This is one of those interesting dinosaurs where scientists hope to find more specimens to learn the answers to many questions.[1]
Name meaning Elegant jaw Code name Compy Diet Carnivore; occasional scavenger Height 30 cm (12 inches) Length 1 meter (3 ft) Weight 0.83-3.5 kg (1.8-7 .7 lbs) Location Europe Range Isla Nublar Isla Sorna California Biosyn Sanctuary Birth type Egg Movie appearances Jurassic Park (promotional photo only) The Lost World: Jurassic Park Jurassic Park III Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Battle at Big Rock Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Jurassic World: Dominion Theme park appearances Islands of Adventure Jurassic World: The Ride
