Coelophysis (Hollow form) is a small carnivorous dinosaur from North America. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon.
Description[]
Coelophysis is one of the earliest known dinosaurs, having evolved in the Late Triassic Period, around 210 million years ago. It had a spindly, delicate build and would have been only about three metres long. However, its long stiff tail and S-shaped neck accounted for most of this length, so it probably weighed no more than 30kg. Coelophysis was also among the earliest dinosaurs to have hollow bones to save weight, like many later dinosaur groups. The skull was long and very light, and the neck was long and slender.
Coelophysis had many serrated teeth, for eating any number of small animals. Although primarily a hunter, it was also probably not above scavenging. The teeth were larger in the upper jaw and curved backwards, and the muscle arrangement in the jaw was such that the upper and lower jaws could grind against one another. Its nimble build and long legs suggest it was a fast runner. Coelophysis is known to be extremely common in the Chinle Formation of New Mexico as well as Arizona and the United States, but fossils have also been found in South Africa.
Zoo Tycoon[]
Coelophysis is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Dinosaur Digs expansion pack. It must be researched in order to be adopted.
Coelophysis is a Tropical Rainforest animal, although it also likes patches of grass and fresh water in its exhibit. Its favorite foliage is the Thouarsus Cycad and also requires a small amount of elevation. Coelophysis will only use the Dinosaur Burrow for shelter. Coelophysis shares similar requirements to fellow Triassic dinosaur Herrerasaurus and the two species can be exhibited together, although both will eat each other's eggs.
 Animal Facts
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| Coelophysis, or "hollow form," was one of the earliest dinosaurs, having first appeared in what is now the southwestern United States around 220 million years ago. With its lightweight, hollow bones Coelophysis is a predator built for agility and speed. Hunting in packs, Coelophysis will make a meal of any small creature unfortunate enough to get in their path--including immature members of their own species. Never staying still for long, Coelophysis is positively hyperactive compared to some of the big, lumbering, herbivorous dinosaurs. It is constantly on the lookout for the next meal, head swiveling around atop its thin neck. The three sharp claws at the end of Coelophysis short forelimbs and longer hind limbs can seem to almost twitch with nervous energy at times. Coelophysis is always ready to pounce should it spot something it can eat, even if that something is a young relative. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Coelophysis' coding lists Gallimimus as prey, however the reverse is also true. The result is that the two species will end up roaring and chasing each other around, but are unable to kill each other.
- The in-game description for Coelophysis mentions that it will eat immature members of its own species. This is based on skeletons that seemed to depict juvenile Coelophysis inside the ribcages of larger individuals, suggesting that the dinosaur was a cannibal. It wasn't until late 2002, the same year Dinosaur Digs was released, that scientists discovered that the "baby Coelophysis" was in fact a primitive crocodylomorph.