New+Mexico

New Mexico- Coelophysis Bauri

Description: Ceolophysis were agile predators. They could grow up to 9.8 feet high and weigh 100 pounds. They had one hundred sharp teeth and its’ bones were hollow and slender. Its’ long and slender tail helped it keep its’ balance. Coelophysis were visual predators. They had short arms, but they were able to use their three fingers.



Time Period:  Coelophysis lived in the later part of the Triassic Period in the Mesozoic Era. It was about 205 to 210 million years ago. The area was river floodplains.

Preservation: All known fossils were found underground in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.

Who Found Fossil/ Why it is the State Fossil: In 1881, David Baldwin discovered the remains of the Coelophysis. Although, it was only a few samples. On March 17th, 1981 the legislature made the Coelophysis the state fossil of New Mexico since the fossil has not yet been found anywhere else.

Interesting Facts:  Coelophysis were cannibals. They ate young Coelophysis. Scientists believe that Coelophysis lived as a group since they were all found in one area. The area is called Ghost Ranch. It also led them to believe that they all died by a single event. The name Coelophysis means “hollow form” in Greek.

Sources: Wolfram Alpha (2012) Coelophysis. Retrieved from: [] New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.(N.D.)Coelophysis- New Mexico’s State Fossil. Retrieved from: [] Dinosaur Facts. (2007). Retrieved from: []