Lesothosaurus

Lesothosaurus is a type of small, omnivorous ornithischian dinosaur from the Early Jurassic period. Its type and only species, Lesothosaurus diagnotiscus, was named by Peter Galton in 1978.

Description
Lesothosaurus was a small basal (primitive) ornithischian, about 6 feet (2 meters) in length. Its body morph suggests that it was quite a fast runner. It also had a horny beak in the front of its mouth, and behind were plant-cruching, leaf shaped teeth, and 12 sharp, meat-slicing, fang-like teeth. Studies on this teeth show Lesothosaurus could not chew and instead sliced food with its beak. It was an opportunistic omnivore, eating anything it could get its hands (or beak?) on.

Classification
Being an early ornithischian, Lesothosaurus had little to no resemblance to the giant, four-legged iguanodontids and hadrosaurs of the Cretaceous period. However, its plant-shearing teeth, and most importantly, its bird-like hip shape, confirm Lesothosaurus is indeed an ornithischian dinosaur.

Diet and adaptations
Possible omnivory aside, it is known that for the most part, Lesothosaurus was a vegetarian., thanks to the aformentioned flat teeth and sharp, kerationus beak, which are perfect for shearing plants. Like all basal ornithopods, Lesothosaurus had long running legs, perfect for escaping predators such as Dracovenator.

Fast facts

 * Special ability: Fast running
 * Description: Basal ornithischian dinosaur from the Early Jurassic period.
 * Diet: Tough arid-climate plants, occasionally meat
 * Weight: 18 pounds (9 kilograms)
 * Meaning of name: "reptile from Lesotho" (a country in Southern Africa)
 * Fun fact: Lesothosaurus mainly processed its found in its mouth, using its horny beak and slashing teeth.
 * Classification: Neornithischia
 * In popular culture: The cartoon Dinosaur Train and the documentary Walking with Dinosaurs
 * Size: 3 feet (1 meter)

Navigation
Species number: #009



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