The hypsilopod was an ornithological dinosaur originally discovered in Tanzania between 1909 and 1912. It lived in the Early Cretaceous period some 115 to 110 million years ago in Europe, in England, to be exact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name Hypsilophodon means \"Hypsilophus tooth\". It has traditionally been considered an early member of the Ornithopoda group. It was a relatively small dinosaur, but not as small as, for example, Compsognathus. Like most small dinosaurs, Hypsilopoda ran on two legs or was bipedal. Its entire body was built for running; it has a streamlined stance, long, light legs, and a stiff tail for balance, all of which would have allowed it to travel remarkably fast for its size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the Hypsilopod had a number of primitive features. It had five digits on each \"hand\" and four on each foot. It had a beak with pointed triangular teeth at the front of the jaw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to its small size, the Hypsilopod was probably preferred to modern deer. It fed on low-growing vegetation. The teeth were set far back in the jaw, suggesting that it had cheeks, an advanced feature that had facilitated the chewing of food. It came with 28 to 30 grooved teeth that appeared to have been self-sharpening. These animals had also moved in herds. In this case, the Hypsilopod had often been called the \"Mesozoic deer\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientists discovered a well-organized nest, suggesting that some care was taken before it hatched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hypsilopod reached 2.3 meters in length and weighed 50-70 kg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n