What is the State Dinosaur of Connecticut?

Just South of Massachusetts, geographically, is Connecticut and along with the similar location is a similarity of state symbols, in this case especially the State Dinosaurs and Fossils of Connecticut and massachusetts. We take a look at what they are and why they are similar below.

Dilophosaurus was named as the State dinosaur of Connecticut in 2017, joining Eubrontes Giganteus, which are likely the footprints of a Dilophosaurus type dinosaur, as the prehistoric state symbols. both the Dilophosaurus and the fossilized footprints are dated to around 200 million years ago.

The dilophosaurus is certainly a iconic dinosaur, although its fame does stem from a lot of mis information from the Jurassic Park franchise. it was not particular small, and it is not known to either have a neck frill, or to have the ability to spit poison!.

We actually have a Dilophosaurus facts article here on the site. With a print out and other facts as well.

What is the state dinosaur of Connecticut.

Dilophosaurus: The State Dinosaur of Connecticut

We have some quick facts about the Connecticut State dinosaur, the Dilophosaurus below for you and have included the most important in a table to make access easier as well.

Dilophosaurus Quick Facts

Dilophosaurus is a genus of small, carnivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 193 million years ago. It has appeared in 2 of the Jurassic park franchise and it a favorite there as well as of course a favorite in Connecticut as well.

Here are a few interesting facts about Dilophosaurus.:

  1. Dilophosaurus was a large, predatory dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 193 million years ago.
  2. It was one of the first large carnivorous dinosaurs to appear on Earth.
  3. Dilophosaurus was known for its distinctive features, including a pair of crests on its head
  4. Dilophosaurus was a bipedal dinosaur, meaning it walked on two legs.
  5. It had long, powerful legs and a long, flexible tail that it used for balance while moving.
  6. Its arms were shorter and weaker than its legs, and it had three fingers on each hand, each tipped with a sharp claw.
  7. Dilophosaurus was a carnivore and likely preyed on smaller dinosaurs and other animals.
  8. It had sharp, serrated teeth and powerful jaw muscles, which it used to tear into its prey.
  9. Despite its fearsome reputation, Dilophosaurus was not a particularly large dinosaur, measuring about 20 feet (6 meters) in length and weighing around 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms).
  10. It was smaller than many of the other large carnivorous dinosaurs that lived during the later time periods, such as Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus.
  11. Unlike the Jurassic Park and World movies it was actually much larger, and there is no evidence it was able to produce or spit poison!

Dinosaur NameState Dinosaur of LengthHeightWeightWhen LivedWhen and where Discovered
DilophosaurusConnecticut, 201720 feet (6 metres) 7-8 feet (2-2.5 metres)up to 1100 lbs 500 kg)193 million years agoMassachusetts, 1910

Why is Dilophosaurus the State Dinosaur of Connecticut?

Although significant of finds of Dilophosaurus have been found in Arizona ( see below) Arizona 1 – already has a state dinosaur, although it chose after Connecticut, and 2 – Tracks of what was either a dilophosaurus or a close relative have been discovered in Connecticut.

What is the state dinosaur of Connecticut.

The Dinosaur tracks discovered in 1966 in Rocky hill are a three toed theropod dinosaur, and are called Eubrontes Giganteus. This is the name of the fossilized footprints rather than the name of the dinosaur however.

So in 2017 the bill signing into law the Dilophosaurus as the State Dinosaur for Connecticut was signed by the Governor Dannel Malloy was signed. As we mentioned they are thought to be from a dinosaur similar to a Dilophosaurus and connecticut is sticking with that story!

Where was Dilophosaurus discovered?

Dilophosaurus was a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period, about 193 million years ago. It was first discovered in the early 1940s by paleontologist Samuel Paul Welles in the Kayenta Formation of Arizona, United States.

The first specimen of Dilophosaurus was found in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, and more fossils have been found in the Kayenta Formation and elsewhere in the western United States. A further two fossils were also found in the area after Welles was shown their location by the Native American people the Navajo.

What is the state dinosaur of connecticut.
Cretaceous Colorado

Dilophosaurus was a relatively large theropod, with an estimated length of about 20 feet and a weight of around 1000 pounds. It is known for the two thin crests on its head, which were probably used for display or to make loud vocalizations.

What is the State Fossil of Connecticut?

The state fossil of Connecticut is, in a round about way, the same as the state dinosaur of connecticut. The State fossil is actually Eubrontes Giganteus, which is the scientific name of the dinosaur footprints found in Rocky Hill in 1966.

They are thought to be of either a coelophysis or a Dilophosaurus and were adopted as the state fossil of connecticut in 1991.

The Dinosaur footprints have been dated to around 200 million years ago, which would be of a similar age to dilophosaurus, and both Connecticut and Massachusetts have a wealth of these that are studied and researched.

State fossil of connecticut

you can check out the other state dinosaurs, those that have adopted one as a state symbol, here in the following list.

You can also read more about State dinosaurs in our US State dinosaur page as well linked here and below.

U.S. State Dinosaurs

Conclusion

So while both the state dinosaur of connecticut, and the state fossil, may be the same animal, only one of them is currently a resident of connecticut. The fossilized dinosaur footprints are found in the state, and the likely owner of them was found elsewhere.

However an absence of proof does not equal a proof of absence and the footprints making up the State dinosaurs are very likely to belong to a dilophosaurus or relative. Which does indicate that 200 million years ago they were walking in what would later, much later, become Connecticut.

References

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