Scientists Say: Theropod

Theropod (noun, “THER-oh-pod”)

Theropods are a group of dinosaurs. Their name means “beast-footed.” The group includes many extinct species, such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor. It also includes modern birds.

Theropods first emerged about 230 million years ago. Early theropod species appear to have been mostly carnivorous. Over time, however, the group evolved into a diverse range of creatures. These included herbivores and omnivores. All non-bird theropods died out with the rest of the dinosaurs about 66 million years ago.

Theropods share certain characteristics, such as two legs, three forward-facing toes and hollow bones. Light, hollow bones allowed some members of the group to evolve flight.

Many extinct theropods sported feathers, scales or a mix of both. Yutyrannus huali was a dinosaur whose name means “feathered tyrant.” This species lived about 125 million years ago. It was one of the largest feathered species that ever lived. The oldest fossil of this species is about 10 meters (33 feet) long. These fossils show clear imprints of long feathers, which may have helped keep Y. huali warm.

All modern birds — from hummingbirds to emus to hawks — are theropods. Scientists learned this link between extinct dinos and modern animals thanks to theropod fossils. For instance, Archaeopteryx was a theropod that lived about 150 million years ago. Its hollow bones, clawed toes and feathers helped show how birds inherited features from their dino ancestors.

In a sentence

Famous dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Allosaurus were meat-eating theropods that stood on two legs.

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