Ask aDino Field Guide ← Triassic

Artist's reconstruction · realistic art coming in a later version

Eoraptor

EE-oh-RAP-tor

“Dawn Thief”

Triassic
When
Late Triassic
Where
Argentina
Size
About 3 ft long
Diet
Plants & small animals

6 Facts

1–6
  1. Eoraptor is one of the earliest known dinosaurs, from about 231 million years ago.
  2. Its name means “Dawn Thief,” marking the dawn of the dinosaur age.
  3. It was tiny — only about 3 feet long and light enough to pick up.
  4. It ran on two legs and was probably very fast.
  5. Its mixed teeth suggest it ate both plants and small animals (an omnivore).
  6. It was discovered in Argentina, where many of the oldest dinosaurs have been found.