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'Hypsilophodon foxii' — a vegetarian sprinter

Object Description

‘Hypsilophodon foxii’ belonged to the group ornithopod dinosaurs which mostly moved on two legs, although larger species probably walked and browsed on all fours. They had a horny beak for picking off plants and very effective teeth for chewing.  Its name (hip-see-loff-o-don) means high-ridged tooth. The fossils of ‘Hysilophodon’ were discovered in England.

'Hysilophodon' lived 136–112 million years ago, in the Early Cretaceous and was a herbivore measuring 1–2 metres

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Educational Value Statement

Animals similar to 'Hypsilophodon' appeared early in the history of dinosaurs and persisted until the last dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago. They were small, fast-running herbivorous dinosaurs, related to the larger hadrosaurs and iguanodonts. 'Hypsilophodon' lived in Europe, but fossils of similar animals are known from every continent, including Antarctica and Australia.

'Hypsilophodon' ran on its long hind legs, with its body held horizontal. Its long tail accounted for half its body length and was stiffened by bony tendons. It is presumed that this helped to hold the tail off the ground while it was running. Recent research suggests that these tendons aided the efficiency of 'Hypsilophodon' when running.

'Hypsilophodon', like other ornithopods, had a small beak, broad chiselled teeth that formed a continuous cutting edge, and cheek pouches for storing food for a short time while it was chewed.

Early palaeontologists thought that it looked like a tree kangaroo, and for a period thought that it may have perched in trees. These ideas have now been discounted and 'Hypsilophodon' is thought to have lived very successfully on the ground as a small, fast sprinter.

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