THEROPODS

Theropods are carnivorous dinosaurs. They walk on their two powerful hind legs. They have large jaws and their forearms are short, possibly used for grasping. The word “Theropod” is taken from a Greek word meaning “Beast Feet.” The word “Theropod” was created in 1881. The average size for Theropods appears to be about 20 feet in length. Some of the smaller ones can be 6 feet in length and weigh around 100 pounds, though some have been known to be as small as three and a half feet long. The larger ones can reach up to 50 feet long, like the Tyrannosaurus Rex. This therapod can grow up to two stories tall and can weigh up to nine tons. Many fossils of Tyrannosaurus Rex have been found, though none of them have been a complete skeleton. In 1990 a nearly complete skeleton was discovered in South Dakota. This skeleton was named Sue, after the person who discovered it. When and where did Theropod dinosaurs live? There is trace evidence of when and where they lived. Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils have been found in Montana, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming in the USA. They have also been found in Canada and in Mongolia. There are artifacts of Ica stones that have drawings of Theropods on them from South America. These ancient artifacts date from 100 AD to 800 AD. In Montana, a Tyrannosaurus fossil was uncovered and NBC News reported that the scientists recovered soft tissue with some blood vessels still intact on the skeleton’s thighbone. For soft tissue, such as blood vessels, to have been found, the skeleton could not have been buried that long ago. Are Theropod dinosaurs extinct? Could they still be alive today? It appears that Theropods are indeed extinct. Although, there have been some claims of sightings of the smaller ones. But there is no clear evidence of their existing in our modern time. .****************************************************************************** *******Theropod Gallary**************************