theropod

Everyday

1. A theropod is a member of a large group of dinosaurs that walked on two legs, mostly meat-eaters, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor and Allosaurus. tree →
2. Birds are living theropods: scientists say birds evolved from small feathered theropod dinosaurs. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on dinosaurs and fossils, theropods had hollow bones, three main toes and sharp teeth or beaks; many had feathers. It is a key example of evolution: a robin is a living relative of T. rex. Phrases: «theropod dinosaurs», «a large theropod», «theropod footprints».

Examples

• T. rex was a huge theropod. tree →
• Theropods walked on two legs. tree →
• Many theropods had feathers. tree →
• Scientists say birds are living theropod dinosaurs. tree →
• The fossil footprints had three toes, so they were made by a theropod. tree →
• Velociraptor was a theropod about the size of a turkey. tree →

Note

Countable. Said «THEER-oh-pod». Means «beast foot» in Greek. Myth: Velociraptor was not as big as in films; it was small and feathered.