Early Triassic and Jurassic Dinosaurs

The Triassic and Early Jurassic periods were the time periods in which dinosaurs first appeared. Learn more about the Triassic and Early Jurassic dinosaurs, such as the Lufengosaurus, Massospondylus, and Scutellosaurus.

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Barapasaurus is named for a word meaning "big leg" in a local dialect in central India. This large dinosaur was a herbivore with large flat teeth that are ideal for cutting or crushing vegetation. What did this dinosaur look like?

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

One of the most unusual predators is that of Coelophysis. It was only slightly larger than a turkey and had a long slender tail and a mouth full of knife-edged teeth. What was this dinosaur's behavior like?

Scutellosaurus was a very unusual dinosaur because it was a two-legged dinosaur that had armor. Most armored dinosaurs walked on all fours. Many scientists believe this dinosaur to be the ancestor of later larger armored dinosaurs.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.