Meet Compsognathus longipes, the tiny predator that once zipped through the lush coastal landscapes of Europe about 150 million years ago! This quick-footed carnivore lived in what’s now Germany and France, darting between ferns and conifers in search of its next snack. Roughly the size of a chicken, Compsognathus may have been small, but it was a skilled hunter, using its sharp teeth and agile body to chase down insects, lizards, and other little creatures of the Jurassic world.

Often called the "Jurassic Roadrunner," Compsognathus gives us a glimpse at the early relatives of today’s birds. With its lightweight bones, long legs, and sleek body, it was built for speed and survival. Fossils of Compsognathus are so complete that they've helped paleontologists understand just how bird-like many small dinosaurs really were—long before feathers became the hottest trend!