Compsognathus

- Pronunciation: komp-sog-NAY-thus
- Translation: Elegant Jaw
- Order: Saurischia
- Suborder: Theropoda
- Infraorder: Tetanurae
- Micro-order: Carnosauria (not confirmed)
- Family: Compsognathidae
- Height: 24 inches (0.6 meters)
- Weight: 8 lbs (3.6 kg)
- Length: 40 inches (1.0 meters)
- Period: Late Jurassic
- Description: Carnivore, Bipedal
- Notes: Compsognathus was once the smallest knowndinosaur -- about the size of a chicken. Because of its sizeand the lightness of its bones, it is believed that Compsognathuswas a very swift predator. It has been suggested that Compsognathus was feathered, but as it was discovered in thesame lithographic limestone in which Archaeopteryx was foundand yet showed no feather impressions, a featheredCompsognathus is unlikely.