Triassic
Coelophysis
Coelophysis bauri
The catalogue presents Coelophysis as a carnivore member of Coelophysidae that lived during the Triassic, between 215.0–203.0 Ma. Its estimated range is 2.8–3.0 m in length and 15–30 kg in mass, giving a practical sense of scale. Reference material comes from Chinle Formation, New Mexico, USA. Size and mass are approximations and may change with new fossils or methods.
Evidence-backed summary
For Coelophysis, the PBDB records the taxonomic attribution as Cope (1889).
The PBDB places it in Coelophysinae, and the catalogue record assigns it to the family Coelophysidae.
- PBDB · taxon.parent
- Coelophysidae
In the PBDB record, the reported stratigraphic range runs from the Norian to the Sinemurian.
The PBDB catalogues 6 occurrences, with material from the Chinle Formation (6). Provenance: United States.
The catalogue records the holotype as AMNH 2706 and the type locality as “Chinle Formation, New Mexico, USA”.
- AMNH 2706
- Chinle Formation, New Mexico, USA
The catalogue's reference measurements are 2.8–3.0 m in length and 15–30 kg in mass — estimates, which vary with specimen and method.
- 2.8-3.0 m
- 15-30 kg
The record gathers 90 bibliographic references registered in the PBDB, listed below.
Where it lived
Fossil occurrences on today’s map and in the tectonic reconstruction.
Positions reconstructed by PBDB/GPlates, not observed; this is not an exact habitat map.
Artistic 3D reconstruction
There is no approved species-specific 3D model yet. Generic anatomy will not be presented as if it were evidence.
Physical Specifications
- Length
- 2.8–3.0 m
- Weight
- 15–30 kg
- Period
- Triassic
- Time range
- 215.0–203.0 Ma
Discovery Information
- First Discovery
- 1889
- Described by
- Edward Drinker Cope
Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Saurischia
- Family
- Coelophysidae
- Genus
- Coelophysis
- Species
- C. bauri
Data status
Taxonomic name matched to PBDB and checked on 2026-08-08.
Taxonomic linkage does not automatically validate size, mass, behaviour or appearance.
- Type specimen
- AMNH 2706
- Type locality
- Chinle Formation, New Mexico, USA