Heterodontosaurus Heterodontosaurus

Heterodontosaurus is a genus of heterodontosaurid dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic, 200–190 million years ago. Its only known member species, Heterodontosaurus tucki, was named in 1962 based on a skull discovered in South Africa. The genus name means “different toothed lizard”, in reference to its unusual, heterodont dentition; the specific name honours G. C. Tuck, who supported the discoverers. Further specimens have since been found, including an almost complete skeleton in 1966.

Though it was a small dinosaur, Heterodontosaurus was one of the largest members of its family, reaching between 1.18 m and possibly 1.75 m in length, and weighing between 2 and 10. The skull was elongated, narrow, and triangular when viewed from the side. The front of the jaws were covered in a horny beak.