Saltopus ("hopping foot") is a genus of very small bipedal dinosauriform containing the single species Saltopus elginensis from the late Triassic period of Scotland. [1] It is one of the most famous Elgin Reptiles.

Feb 17, 2023 · Saltopus, meaning “hopping foot,” is a genus of early theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, around 220 million years ago. Its fossils have been found in Scotland, and it is known from only a few fragmentary remains.

Saltopus was a small, lightly-built Upper Triassic reptile. So few bones were found that its exact nature is not known. It was 60 centimeters (23 in) long, not much bigger than a rabbit, and was discovered in Scotland by Friedrich von Huene in 1910. It was a carnivore. Not much more can be said until more remains are discovered.

Feb 26, 2024 · Saltopus provides critical clues about the early stages of dinosaur evolution. Its unique anatomy helps scientists infer the lifestyle and behavioral traits of early dinosaur relatives. Further research on Saltopus helps reconstruct Triassic ecosystems and their complex dynamics.

May 17, 2011 · Saltopus elginensis, reported in 1910 from the yellow sandstones of the Lossiemouth Sandstone Formation (Late Triassic) of Morayshire, NE Scotland, has long been controversial. It was described first as a theropod dinosaur, but others disagreed.

Saltopus is the smallest and lightest dinosaurs which is similar to procompsognathus, was not tall as domestic cat which is weighed as 21b/1 kg. Saltopus elginensis is considered to be Scotland's oldest dinosaur.

Aug 7, 2013 · Saltopus has had a murky taxonomic history with some researchers crediting it with being an early theropod dinosaur,‭ ‬while others insist that it was an advanced archosaur similar to Marasuchus.‭ ‬Currently most palaeontologists agree that Saltopus is most probably a dinosauriform,‭ ‬more advanced than an archosaur,‭ ‬but not ...

Saltopus is one the earliest known dinosaurs. It was a carnivore (meat-eater) that lived in the Triassic period about 225 to 222 million years ago. Its fossils were found in Scotland by Friedrich von Huene in 1910 .

Saltopus may have been a very early dinosaur. It was small, lightly-built dinosaur that walked on two legs. It had light, hollow bones, and a long head with dozens of small, sharp teeth. Saltopus has five fingers on its hands, but the fourth and fifth digits were very small.

Saltopus was a small, lightly-built dinosaur that walked on two legs. It was about 2 feet long (0.7 m) and weighing about 2 pounds (1 kg), about the size of a small cat. It had light, hollow bones, and a long head with dozens of small, sharp teeth. Saltopus has five fingers on its hands, but the fourth and fifth digits were very small.