Herrerasaurus
extinct genus of reptiles
Herrerasaurus (meaning "Herrera's lizard") was one of the earliest dinosaurs. It walked on two long legs and had sharp teeth. The arms were short and the fingers had sharp claws.
Herrerasaurus Temporal range: Late Triassic
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Illustration of Herrerasaurus | |
Fossil
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Genus: | Herrerasaurus Reig, 1963
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Species: | H. ischigualastensis
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Binomial name | |
Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis Reig, 1963
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Ischisaurus Reig, 1963 |
Description
The first Herrerasaurus fossil was found in 1958 by Don Victorino Herrera, a local rancher. Three partial skeletons have been found. The first Herrerasaurus skull wasn't found until 1988. Fossils have been found in the Ishigualasto region, San Juan Province, northwestern Argentina, South America.