Staurikosaurus

Say it like this: “STAWR-i-ko-SAWR-us”

Staurikosaurus pricei

Staurikosaurus ate meat and walked on two legs. It lived in the Late Triassic. Bones have been found in Brazil.

Quiz me on Staurikosaurus

When: Late Triassic (Carnian) · roughly 237 to 227.3 million years ago
Named in: 1970 · Colbert, E. H.
Hip height: Not established
Length: 2.1–2.3 m · 7–8 ft
Weight: 12 kg · 26 lb
Found in: Brazil · Santa Maria
Food and walking: Carnivore · Two legs
Kind: early dinosaur · Early dinosaur
Family branch: Herrerasauridae

The story in short

Staurikosaurus was formally named in 1970 by E. H. Colbert. The name means “southern Cross lizard.”

It lived in the Late Triassic (Carnian), roughly 237 to 227.3 million years ago. Finds come from Brazil, including the Santa Maria Formation. It was a carnivore and walked on two legs.

Published estimates put Staurikosaurus at a length near 2.1–2.3 m and a body mass around 12 kg.

On the family tree it sits in Herrerasauridae, among the earliest dinosaurs.

Close relatives

Gnathovorax

Gnathovorax cabreirai

Late Triassic (Carnian) · roughly 237 to 227.3 million years ago

Herrerasaurus

Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis

Late Triassic (Carnian) · roughly 237 to 227.3 million years ago

Sanjuansaurus

Sanjuansaurus gordilloi

Late Triassic (Carnian) · roughly 237 to 227.3 million years ago