Microsoft Dinosaurs
Herrerasaurus
Herrerasaurus
Herrerasaurus

heh-RARE-ah-SOR-us name means “Herrera lizard”

This old-timer was possibly one of the first meat-eating dinosaurs on Earth!

KindDinosaur Period Late Triassic Diet Carnivore

One of the first dinosaurs of the Age of Dinosaurs, Herrerasaurus lived during the Late Triassic period, more than 200 million years ago. This small South American dinosaur was a very primitive, two-legged meat-eater about ten feet long. Herrerasaurus is classified as a lizard-hipped dinosaur, but shares only a few features with others in that group.

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At the Dawn of Dinosaurs

At the Dawn of Dinosaurs

Here are some of the dinosaurs that lived during the early periods of the Age of Dinosaurs.

PlateosaurusThis dinosaur is one of the most commonly found fossils. Plateosaurus was a plant-eater that grew up to twenty-three feet long.
StaurikosaurusOne of the oldest known dinosaurs, this little Brazilian predator lived during the Late Triassic period, 225 million years ago.
CoelophysisCoelophysis dates from the Late Triassic period and has all the characteristics of a swift predator.
MassospondylusThis bulky plant-eater had a small head and a long neck and tail. It measured sixteen feet in length.

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Life Before Dinosaurs Staurikosaurus

Source: Microsoft Dinosaurs (1993) CD-ROM. Text liberated from original screen art; images & audio restored from disc. Original media is Microsoft/supplier copyright — non-commercial educational preservation. Credits & Acknowledgements