Saltopus
Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Theropoda
Found in Scotland, Saltopus may be the oldest European dinosaur. Similar in build to Procompsognathus but much smaller and lighter, it was not as tall as a domestic cat and weighed as little as two pounds. This tiny predator snatched prey with five-fingeredhands - a primitive feature, although the fourth and fifth fingers were tiny. Its hip/backbone arrangement was more advanced than Procompsognathus and formed a fairly solid anchor for the long running legs.
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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 Saltopus mean?
The name Saltopus means “Leaping Foot”. It is pronounced sal-TOH-pus.
When did Saltopus live?
Saltopus lived during the Late Triassic.
Was Saltopus a carnivore or a herbivore?
Saltopus was a carnivore.
How big was Saltopus?
Saltopus was about 24 inches (0.6 meters) long, around 12 inches (0.3 meters) tall, weighing up to 2 pounds (0.9 kg).
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