the Jurassic period and the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic era) will
be introduced. As the time when the dinosaur first appeared, the Mesozoic era's
Triassic period lasted from 245 million years to 208 million years ago.
Approximately at this time, all the continents on the earth were clumped
together, with the continental areas being dry and rivers and seaside swarmed
with ferns, tall coniferous trees, ginkgos and cycads
Coelophysis
Known as one of the oldest kinds of dinosaurs, Herrerasaurus
had carnivorous features: a big jaw, sharp teeth, and features favorable
for hunting such as long claws and quick and nimble legs. Being about 3~4
m long and weighing 250~300 kg, it was a biped ambulatory animal. It
inhabited the northwestern areas of Argentina during the latter part of
the Triassic period.
Herrerasaurus
As a quick and agile dinosaur, its front legs were very short and
its body except for the tail was a little bigger than a turkey. In 1947,
hundreds of Coelophysis fossils were found in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
Unlike other large, carnivorous dinosaurs, Coelophysis seemed to have
lived in groups, moving in herds. Its body was 3 m at longest and weighed
15-30 kg.
Plateosaurus
As the largest among Triassic-age dinosaurs, it had a small
head, long neck, shorter front legs as compared to its well-developed hind
legs. It walked on four legs. The big toe had a big claw, which seemed to
have been used either for hunting or as a weapon. Its fossils have been
found in more than 50 areas in Europe. This herbivorous dinosaur stood 9 m
long and weighed 4 tons.
Riojasaurus Riojasaurus, with legs as thick and robust as an elephant
and a long neck, had a non-proportionally longer tail, which seemed to
have been used either for balance or as a weapon. It grabbed its food
using five, long, front toes. Like other herbivorous dinosaurs, it had
spoon-shaped teeth. It stood 11 m long and weighed 4.5
tons.