Schleich Herrersaurus

Meet One of the Earliest Dinosaur Hunters!

The Schleich Herrerasaurus looks as though it is stalking close to the ground, almost ready to drop onto all fours. However, this early meat-eating dinosaur actually ran on two powerful hind legs, using its shorter arms and clawed hands to grab struggling prey.

When Did Herrerasaurus Live?

Herrerasaurus lived during the Late Triassic Period, around 231 to 228 million years ago. It was one of the earliest known dinosaurs, appearing when dinosaurs were still relatively new and far from the rulers of the prehistoric world.

What Did Herrerasaurus Eat?

Herrerasaurus was a carnivore. It probably hunted smaller reptiles, early dinosaur relatives and other animals that shared its Triassic home.

Its sharp teeth curved backwards and had serrated edges for cutting through meat. Its lower jaw also contained an unusual flexible joint that may have helped it grip struggling prey and tear away mouthfuls of food.

How Big Was Herrerasaurus?

Herrerasaurus generally grew approximately 3 to 4 metres long and may have weighed around 200 to 350 kilograms. Some estimates suggest the largest individuals could have been longer.

Its body was relatively light and agile, with strong hind legs for running and a long tail that helped it balance while chasing prey.

Where Did Herrerasaurus Live?

Herrerasaurus lived in what is now north-western Argentina. Its fossils have been discovered in the Ischigualasto Formation, an area sometimes called the Valley of the Moon.

During the Late Triassic, this region was crossed by rivers and floodplains and supported an extraordinary mixture of early dinosaurs, reptiles and mammal-like animals.

Awesome Herrerasaurus Facts

• Its name means “Herrera’s lizard”, honouring Victorino Herrera, who discovered its first fossil remains.
• Herrerasaurus was one of the earliest known dinosaurs.
• Although its pose can make it look almost four-legged, Herrerasaurus walked and ran on two powerful hind legs.
• Its shorter arms ended in grasping hands with sharp, curved claws.
• An unusual flexible joint in its lower jaw may have helped it hold and tear at prey.
• Herrerasaurus had a mixture of primitive and more advanced features, making it important to scientists studying how the first dinosaurs evolved.

Four Legs or Two? Look Again!

Herrerasaurus crouches low as it stalks through the Triassic undergrowth. For a moment, it almost looks ready to walk on four legs. Then it springs forwards on its powerful hind legs, reaching out with its clawed hands as its prey races for safety!

The figure’s opening mouth reveals its sharp teeth, adding plenty of snapping and hunting action to Triassic adventures. With the superb quality and realistic detailing expected from Schleich dinosaur figures, Herrerasaurus is ready to represent the very beginning of the dinosaur story in any young expert’s collection.

• Age: 3 years and up
• Category: Dinosaurs
• Approximate dimensions: 24 x 8 x 12 cm
• Hand-painted and highly detailed
• Made of high-quality plastic
• Extremely life-like and realistic design