Astrodontaurus Facts
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 9m |
| Length | 20m |
| Weight | 20 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | United States |

| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 9m |
| Length | 20m |
| Weight | 20 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | United States |
Astrodontaurus, now recognised as the same dinosaur as Astrodon, was a magnificent sauropod that roamed the ancient landscapes of eastern North America during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 112 to 110 million years ago. This massive herbivore was one of the dominant plant-eaters of its time, using its enormous size and long neck to browse vegetation that other dinosaurs simply couldn't reach.
Measuring an impressive 20 metres in length and standing 9 metres tall, this sauropod weighed around 20 tonnes - roughly equivalent to four African elephants combined. Like other sauropods, it possessed the characteristic long neck and tail, with a relatively small head perched atop its towering frame. Its sturdy, column-like legs supported its massive bulk as it moved slowly but purposefully through the Cretaceous forests and plains.
As a dedicated herbivore, this sauropod spent most of its time feeding on conifers, ferns, and other prehistoric plants. Its teeth, which gave the genus its name meaning 'star tooth', were specially adapted for stripping vegetation rather than chewing. The plant material was likely processed in its enormous gut, possibly with the aid of gastroliths - stones swallowed to help grind up tough plant matter.
Fossils of this sauropod have been discovered in Maryland's Arundel Formation, providing valuable insights into the diverse ecosystem that existed in eastern North America during the Early Cretaceous. These remains represent some of the most significant sauropod discoveries from the eastern United States.
Astrodontaurus had distinctively shaped teeth that resembled stars when viewed from certain angles, giving the genus its name. It possessed the typical sauropod body plan with an extremely long neck, small head, and whip-like tail, supported by four massive, pillar-like legs.
This sauropod likely lived in herds for protection against predators, using its size as its primary defence mechanism. It would have spent most of its waking hours feeding, using its long neck to browse vegetation at various heights from ground level to the forest canopy.
Astrodontaurus was first described by Christopher Johnston in 1859. The original fossils were discovered at Arundel Formation, Maryland, USA.