Saurornithoides
Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Theropoda · Infraorder: Tetanurae · Family: Troödontidae (family not firmly confirmed)
Found in Mongolia, Saurornithoides was one of the most intelligent dinosaurs based upon its brain-weight to body-weight ratio. The fact that its eyes are situated pointing forward hints that, like many modern animals, Saurornithoides may have had stereoscopicvision, a characteristic that would have helped it to judge distance. Saurornithoides is very similar in many ways to Troödon, which lived in Western North America during the Cretaceous Period.
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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 Saurornithoides mean?
The name Saurornithoides means “Bird-like Lizard”. It is pronounced SAWR-or-nih-THOY-deez.
When did Saurornithoides live?
Saurornithoides lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Saurornithoides a carnivore or a herbivore?
Saurornithoides was a carnivore.
How big was Saurornithoides?
Saurornithoides was about 6.5 feet (2 meters) long, around 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall, weighing up to 120 pounds (54.4 kg).
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Troödontidae family.
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