With the age of the deposit the fossil was found in, as well as the many traits Eoraptor shared with early dinosaurs, it was determined to be the earliest known dinosaur when it was discovered in 1991. Due to these factors, it was named Eoraptor or "dawn thief."
Eoraptor lived during the Late Triassic period and resembled many of the other dinosaurs from this time period. Its thin frame combined with its long back legs to make it fast. Its front arms were shorter and ended in hands with five fingers. It had an elongated neck with a narrow head and a long tail that helped it balance. With sharp back teeth and flat front teeth, scientists believe Eoraptor ate all kinds of food.
After finding more Triassic dinosaur specimens and doing more research on early dinosaur taxonomy, scientists now believe Eoraptor is more closely related to "long-neck" dinosaurs, rather than carnivores like T. rex or Velociraptor.
Eoraptor at the Akron Zoo
Two Eoraptors are located in near the gibbon habitat in Wild Asia.