**Struthiomimus: The Ostrich-Mimic Dinosaur**
Struthiomimus was a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 77 to 66 million years ago. It was known as “ostrich-mimic” because it looked a lot like modern-day ostriches.
**What Was It Like?**
Struthiomimus belonged to a family of dinosaurs called Ornithomimidae. These dinosaurs were long-legged, walked on two legs (bipedal), and had toothless beaks. They probably ate plants and small animals, making them omnivores, similar to what some birds do today.
The type species of Struthiomimus, known as S. altus, was a small and common dinosaur that has been found in Dinosaur Provincial Park in Canada. This dinosaur reached about 4.3 meters long (about 14 feet) and weighed around 150 kilograms (about 330 pounds). Some bigger specimens might have weighed even more.
**Discovery of Struthiomimus**
The first bones of Struthiomimus were discovered by paleontologist Lawrence Lambe in 1901. However, it was another paleontologist, Barnum Brown, who found a nearly complete skeleton in 1914. In 1917, these findings helped define Struthiomimus as its own genus.
Over the years, there have been various other species named within this group, but many were later deemed to be related to different dinosaurs.
**Body Structure**
Struthiomimus had a slender body with a long neck, and its large eyes were positioned for good vision. Its back was supported by a stiff tail, helping with balance during running.
Struthiomimus had long arms with three fingers on each hand. These fingers were about the same length and had simple claws, suggesting they were used for grasping branches or possibly for feather support.
**Diet and Eating Habits**
Paleontologists have had different ideas about what Struthiomimus ate. Its beak suggests it might have eaten both plants and small animals. Some scientists believe it used its long neck to reach for leaves and buds, while others think it might have hunted small creatures.
**Speed and Defense**
One of Struthiomimus’s best defenses against predators was its speed. With long, strong legs, it could run very fast, estimated to be between 50 and 80 kilometers per hour (about 31 to 50 miles per hour). This speed would help it escape from predators like big meat-eating dinosaurs, such as T. rex and various dromaeosaurs.
**Where Did It Live?**
Fossils of Struthiomimus have mostly been found in the Oldman Formation in Canada, dating back to about 77 to 78 million years ago. There may be other older species from later in the Cretaceous, but they have not been formally named yet.
In summary, Struthiomimus was an agile dinosaur with a unique body structure and dietary habits. Its resemblance to modern birds hints at the connections between dinosaurs and birds today.