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Othnielia

Filed under Jurassic dinosaurs · Types of Dinosaurs editorial team

Mounted Apatosaurus skeleton, a massive long-necked sauropod — Photo: MCDinosaurhunter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pronunciation

oth-NEEL-ee-ah

Name means

Named after Othniel Charles Marsh,

Also known as

Laosaurus

Diet

Herbivore

Posture

Bipedal

Period

Late Jurassic

Length

4.6 feet (1.4 meters)

Height

2 feet (0.6 meters)

Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Ornithopoda · Family: Hypsilophodontidae

Found in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado, Othnielia had a small head and large eyes. Its beak-like jaws were lined with teeth which were enameled on both sides.

Mounted Parasaurolophus skeleton, a crested duck-billed dinosaur — Photo: Lisa Andres from Riverside, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.

Frequently asked questions

What does Othnielia mean?

The name Othnielia means “Named after Othniel Charles Marsh,”. It is pronounced oth-NEEL-ee-ah.

When did Othnielia live?

Othnielia lived during the Late Jurassic.

Was Othnielia a carnivore or a herbivore?

Othnielia was a herbivore.

How big was Othnielia?

Othnielia was about 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) long, around 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall.

Related dinosaurs

Other dinosaurs from the Hypsilophodontidae family.

AgilisaurusHerbivore AtlascopcosaurusHerbivore HypsilophodonHerbivore LeaellynasauraHerbivore NanosaurusHerbivore OrodromeusHerbivore

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