Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
457 / Mesozoic
Heterodontosaurus
Heterodontosaurus tucki
Incisor, tusk-like and cheek teeth formed an unusual dinosaur dentition.
View original image · 1600 × 1067- Time range
- About 200–190 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Jurassic
- Geographic range
- Seasonal scrub · South Africa
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Heterodontosaurus?
Heterodontosaurus (Heterodontosaurus tucki) was an extinct organism known from About 200–190 million years ago, with a range in Seasonal scrub · South Africa.
Life and ecology
It moved quickly on two legs and processed plants, perhaps occasionally taking small animals.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Heterodontosaurus disappear?
Ornithischians diversified in the Early Jurassic, but a younger fauna does not by itself show that they replaced this branch.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Heterodontosaurus?
Complete skulls and skeletons preserve teeth and hands; filament evidence is comparative.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Rewrote an extinction cause that presented environmental or faunal turnover as established; it is now given as context the record does not prove.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS