Megapnosaurus (Syntarsus) - Facts and Figures

Megapnosaurus (Syntarsus) - Facts and Figures Name: Megapnosaurus (Greek for big dead lizard); pronounced meh-GAP-no-SORE-us; also known as Syntarsus; possibly synonymous with Coelophysis Habitat: Woodlands of Africa and North America Historical Period: Early Jurassic (200-180 million years ago) Size and Weight: About six feet long and 75 pounds Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; bipedal posture; narrow snout; strong hands with long fingers About Megapnosaurus (Syntarsus) By the standards of the early Jurassic period, about 190 million years ago, the meat-eating dinosaur Megapnosaurus was hugethis early theropod may have weighed as much as 75 pounds, hence its unusual name, Greek for big dead lizard. (By the way, if Megapnosaurus sounds a bit unfamiliar, thats because this dinosaur used to be known as Syntarsusa name that turned out to have already been assigned to a genus of insect.