Compsognathus

Compsognathus is a genus of small, carnivorous theropod dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic period. The name derives from Greek words meaning “elegant jaw.” It is among the smallest known non-avian dinosaurs, with adult individuals typically around one meter in length and weighing only a few kilograms. Its skeleton was light and slender, with long hind limbs, a long tail, and a relatively small skull filled with sharp teeth. The forelimbs were short, bearing a small number of digits.

Discovery and fossil record: Fossils attributed to Compsognathus have come from the Solnhofen limestone in Bavaria, Germany, which dates to about 150 million years ago. The genus was described in the 19th century from these exceptionally well-preserved fossils. In one well-known specimen, stomach contents preserved inside the skeleton indicate it preyed on small vertebrates, including lizards, providing direct evidence of its predatory habits.

Classification: Compsognathus is commonly placed in the family Compsognathidae within the larger group of coelurosaurian theropods. Its small size and skeletal features have made it a reference point in discussions of early coelurosaur evolution and the diversity of small theropods during the Jurassic.

Paleobiology and ecology: The long legs and light build suggest it was a fast runner, adapted for catching small prey near lagoons or shorelines where Solnhofen fossils were deposited.

Cultural impact: Compsognathus is widely recognized in popular culture as a model of a tiny, agile dinosaur, notably appearing in film and media portrayals of theropods.