New dinosaur that's part bird, vampire bat and porcupine discovered!

A new kind of dinosaur has been identified that is part parrot, part vampire bat and part porcupine.

Scientists say the scary looking beast is called Pegomastax africanus, which means "thick jaw from Africa".

The dinosaur had a parrot-like beak, porcupine-like spikes and sharp fangs, which is unusual because they also think it was a vegetarian!

Experts from the University of Chicago sayPegomastax africanus was identified from fossils found in South Africa. It was about the size of a pet cat and lived 100-200 million years ago.

Professor Paul Sereno, from the University of Chicago, actually first discovered the creature way back in 1983.

But he got distracted by other work and didn't get round to writing about it until now!

Match the words below to their definitions

creature / discovered / fangs / fossils / porcupine / vampire bat

1. small flying animal that sucks blood from other animals
2. type of animal that is covered with large stiff hairs which protect it
3. long sharp teeth
4. ancient plants or animals that have been turned into stone
5. found something for the first time
6. animal

True or false?

1. The dinosaur was small and spiky.
2. Paul Sereno only discovered the dinosaur recently.
3. The dinosaur was found in Chicago.
4. The dinosaur was related to pet cats.
5. The dinosaur looked like a parrot.
6. The dinosaur died in 1983.
7. There are no fossils in South Africa.
8. Pegomastax africanus has a heavy jaw.

What's the missing word?

1. Pegomastax africanus was ____________ from fossils found in South Africa.
2. The dinosaur had a parrot-like ____________ .
3. The ____________ looking beast is called Pegomastax africanus.
4. But he got ____________ by other work.





KEY

Match the words

vampire bat: small flying animal that sucks blood from other animals
porcupine: type of animal that is covered with large stiff hairs which protect it
fangs: long sharp teeth
fossils: ancient plants or animals that have been turned into stone
discovered: found something for the first time
creature: animal

True or false?

1. True
2. False
3. False
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. True

What's the missing word?

1. identified
2. beak
3. scary
4. distracted