**Tanycolagreus: A Jurassic Dinosaur**
Tanycolagreus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 153 to 150 million years ago. This dinosaur was found in North America and is classified as a theropod, which means it walked on two legs and was related to birds.
**Discovery and Naming**
Tanycolagreus was discovered in 1995 at the Bone Cabin Quarry in Wyoming. At first, scientists thought it was a different dinosaur called Coelurus. But later studies showed that it was a new species. In 2005, it was officially named Tanycolagreus topwilsoni. The name helps describe its unique features.
The word “Tanycolagreus” means “long-limbed hunter.” This comes from the Greek words for “long” and “limb,” as well as “hunter.” The specific name honors George Eugene “Top” Wilson, who helped with the research.
The fossil of Tanycolagreus includes parts of its skull and much of its body. Today, you can see it on display at the North American Museum of Ancient Life in Utah.
**Description**
Tanycolagreus was a medium-sized dinosaur. The main fossil shows it was about 3.3 meters (11 feet) long, but another bone might suggest it could have been up to 4 meters (13 feet) long. It likely weighed around 120 kilograms (about 260 pounds).
This dinosaur had a large, rectangular head with a blunt snout. Its legs were long and built for speed. Some of its features, like the shape of the bones in its body, made it different from similar dinosaurs like Coelurus and Ornitholestes.
**Lifestyle**
Tanycolagreus was a hunter. It probably preyed on smaller dinosaurs, such as Nanosaurus, a small plant-eating dinosaur. It had sharp teeth, suitable for catching and eating its prey.
**Classification**
Originally, scientists placed Tanycolagreus in a group called Coeluridae. However, later studies showed that it was more closely related to other groups of theropods. This kind of classification helps scientists understand how dinosaurs are related to one another.
In summary, Tanycolagreus is an interesting dinosaur from the Jurassic period, known for its long limbs and hunting abilities. It’s a great example of the diversity of life that existed millions of years ago!