| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 4m |
| Length | 15m |
| Weight | 12 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Argentina |
Aeolosaurus was a titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur that thundered across South America during the Late Cretaceous Period, between 83.6 and 72.2 million years ago. Like all sauropods, this massive herbivore walked on four sturdy legs and possessed the characteristic long neck and tail that made these dinosaurs so distinctive. Aeolosaurus lived in what is now Argentina, where its fossilised remains have provided scientists with valuable insights into titanosaur biology.
This sauropod is particularly well-known amongst titanosaurs because palaeontologists have discovered remains from several individuals representing at least two species. The original species, Aeolosaurus rionegrinus, was first described from an impressive collection of seven tail vertebrae, along with parts of both forelimbs and the right hindlimb. These fossils were unearthed from the Angostura Colorada Formation, dating to the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous.
As a typical sauropod, Aeolosaurus would have spent its days browsing on prehistoric vegetation, using its long neck to reach high into ancient conifer trees and ferns. Its massive size - estimated at around 15 metres in length and weighing approximately 12 tonnes - would have provided protection from most predators of its time. Like other titanosaurs, Aeolosaurus likely had small, bony plates embedded in its skin called osteoderms, which may have provided additional defence.
Unfortunately, like most titanosaurs, no skull remains of Aeolosaurus have been discovered, leaving questions about its exact feeding habits and head structure unanswered. However, the substantial postcranial remains have allowed scientists to understand much about its body structure and place in the titanosaur family tree.
Aeolosaurus possessed the typical titanosaur body plan with a long neck, small head, and whip-like tail, though no skull has been found. Its robust limb bones suggest it was a heavily built sauropod, and like other titanosaurs, it likely had small bony plates called osteoderms embedded in its skin for protection.
Aeolosaurus would have been a peaceful browser, using its long neck to feed on high vegetation that other herbivores couldn't reach. As a large sauropod, it likely lived in herds for protection and may have migrated seasonally in search of fresh feeding grounds across the Late Cretaceous landscapes of South America.
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Saurischia |
| Genus | Aeolosaurus |
Aeolosaurus was first described by Leonardo Salgado and Rodolfo Coria in 1987. The original fossils were discovered at Angostura Colorada Formation, Argentina.
