Coelophysis was a genus of early dinosaurs in the theropod family. They were relatively small, growing at about 9 feet long from nose to tail and only 3 feet tall. They were long and slender with very light, hollow bones, indicating that they were quick, agile and had sharp, serrated teeth. They hunted small reptiles and were likely opportunistic scavengers.
Coelophysis fossils have been found in North America and in Southern Africa. The more complete skeletons are often found in this ‘death pose’ in which the head and neck are curled backwards. This is common state in which to find theropod remains, not only Coelophysis. Some theorize that the death pose is cause by the shrinking of the tendons in the animal’s neck post-death. Others think the pose occurs because the animal was experiencing a nervous system disorder called opisthotonos, which can occur before death brought about by asphyxiation, brain damage, or some other disease.
Coelophysis was a genus of early dinosaurs in the theropod family. They were relatively small, growing at about 9 feet long from nose to tail and only 3 feet tall. They were long and slender with very light, hollow bones, indicating that they were quick, agile and had sharp, serrated teeth. They hunted small reptiles and were likely opportunistic scavengers.
Coelophysis fossils have been found in North America and in Southern Africa. The more complete skeletons are often found in this ‘death pose’ in which the head and neck are curled backwards. This is common state in which to find theropod remains, not only Coelophysis. Some theorize that the death pose is cause by the shrinking of the tendons in the animal’s neck post-death. Others think the pose occurs because the animal was experiencing a nervous system disorder called opisthotonos, which can occur before death brought about by asphyxiation, brain damage, or some other disease.