Herrerasaurus

Description
One of the most primitive theropods, Herrerasaurus lived in Late Triassic Argentina. These carnivores measured 3 - 6 metres long, and hunted in lush floodplains and conifer forests. Fossilized Herrerasaurus dung suggests that this it could even digest bone!

These animals are mostly solitary, but can live in small groups. Natural prey includes rhyncosaurs, and Mussaurus.

Herrerasaurus does well in many different habitats, though they are most fond of well forested environments with plenty of ambush spots, or desert environments with some options for shade. These animals conserve water well, but they aren’t overly specialized. Their efficient digestive systems mean they do not need to eat as often as many other theropods. In their spare time they enjoy sunbathing, or cooling off in shallow water.

What is unique about Herrerasaurus?
Male Herrerasaurus are very colorful animals, and can be quite an addition to an enclosure!

Housing Herrerasaurus
Herrerasaurus can perfectly live alone, but they can live in a small group of up to 3 members. The enclosure must be medium if for one, or large for various.

Recommended habitat
The enclosure must replicate Herrerasaurus' environment as close as possible, so a closed forest is the best option, or an arid environment. For the forest habitat, it is recommended to use a lot of trees, and leave a big den for the Herrerasaurus, a pond of water also is recommended, so they can drink and bath. For the arid habitat, you need to make sure there's enough shelter and water for them, but a lot less trees.

Real Life Information
Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis was one of the earliest dinosaurs, even though it isn't the earliest dinosaur, that title being given to Nyasasaurus. Herrerasaurus means "Herrera's lizard", after the rancher who discovered it's first remains. Currently, all known fossils of this carnivore have been discovered in the Ischigualasto Formation of the Carnian age (late Triassic according to the ICS, dated to 231.4 million years ago) in northwestern Argentina. It could read a max height of 1.8 meters, and a length of 6,5 meters.

Herrerasaurus has been classified as either an early theropod or an early saurischian in at least five recent reviews of theropod evolution, with many researchers treating it at least tentatively as the most primitive member of Theropoda.

It is a member of the Herrerasauridae, a family of similar genera that were among the earliest of the dinosaurian evolutionary radiation.

Fun facts

 * Herrerasaurus weighed as much as a Nile Crocodile.
 * Helpful joints allowed Herrerasaurus’ lower jawbones to flex about considerably for added leverage while ensnaring its quarrelsome prey.
 * One of the oldest dinosaurs to have been ever discovered.

Reason of extinction
It may have been the Deccan Traps and other volcanic eruptions, climate change, and sea level change. A wide range of species perished in the K–Pg extinction, the best-known being the non-avian dinosaurs.