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barilium: herbivore dinosaur from the Cretaceous era

Barilium Facts

Pronunciation: bah-RIL-ee-um

Name meaning: Heavy or weighty one

Diet	Herbivore
Height	3m
Length	7m
Weight	2.5 tonnes
Environment	Land
Era	Cretaceous
Period	Early Cretaceous
Type	Ornithopod
Location	England

Barilium was a large ornithopod dinosaur that roamed the lush forests and floodplains of Early Cretaceous England around 135 million years ago. Originally described as a species of Iguanodon in 1888 by palaeontologist Richard Lydekker, it was later recognised as distinct enough to warrant its own genus due to several unique anatomical features.

This impressive herbivore stood approximately 3 metres tall at the hip and measured about 7 metres in length, making it a substantial presence in its prehistoric ecosystem. Like other ornithopods of its time, Barilium was primarily bipedal but could also move on all fours when feeding or resting. Its powerful hind limbs supported its considerable bulk whilst allowing for efficient locomotion across varied terrain.

Barilium possessed the typical ornithopod features of a duck-like beak at the front of its snout for cropping vegetation, complemented by rows of grinding teeth further back in its jaws. This dental arrangement was perfectly suited for processing the tough cycads, ferns, and early flowering plants that dominated the Early Cretaceous landscape. The dinosaur's thumb spikes, a characteristic feature of iguanodontian dinosaurs, would have served both as defensive weapons and useful tools for manipulating food.

The fossils of Barilium were discovered in the famous Wealden deposits of Sussex, an area that has yielded numerous important dinosaur specimens and provides a window into Early Cretaceous life in what was then a warm, subtropical region of Europe.

What made Barilium distinctive?

Barilium was distinguished by its robust build and specific skull features that set it apart from other iguanodontians. It possessed distinctive vertebral characteristics and a particular arrangement of its pelvic bones that helped palaeontologists recognise it as a separate genus from Iguanodon.

Behaviour

Barilium likely lived in herds, moving through the lush Early Cretaceous forests in search of suitable vegetation. As a large ornithopod, it would have been constantly alert for predators, using its keen senses and the safety of numbers to avoid danger whilst foraging for food throughout the day.

Fun Facts About Barilium

Barilium was originally discovered by Charles Dawson, who later became infamous for the Piltdown Man hoax, though his dinosaur discoveries were genuine
The holotype specimen of Barilium consists of a partial skeleton including vertebrae, ribs, and pelvic elements found in a Sussex quarry
Barilium lived alongside other famous dinosaurs like Baryonyx and Iguanodon in the diverse ecosystem of Early Cretaceous England
The Wealden deposits where Barilium was found represent ancient river systems and lakes that existed when southern England had a much warmer climate
Barilium's name reflects the 'heavy' or robust nature of its bone structure compared to its close relatives

Scientific Classification

Phylum	Chordata
Class	Ornithischia
Family	Iguanodontidae
Genus	Barilium

Discovery

Barilium was first described by Richard Lydekker in 1888. The original fossils were discovered at Wealden Group, Sussex, England.

Barilium FAQ

What did Barilium eat?

Barilium was a herbivore that fed on the abundant plant life of Early Cretaceous England. Its diet would have included ferns, cycads, conifers, and some of the earliest flowering plants, which it processed using its duck-like beak and rows of grinding teeth.

How big was Barilium?

Barilium was a large dinosaur, standing about 3 metres tall at the hip and measuring approximately 7 metres in total length. It weighed around 2.5 tonnes, making it a substantial but not gigantic member of the ornithopod family.

When did Barilium live?

Barilium lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 137 to 133 million years ago. This was a time when flowering plants were beginning to diversify and the climate was much warmer than today.

Where was Barilium found?

Barilium fossils were discovered in England, specifically in the Wealden Group deposits of Sussex. These rock formations have yielded many important dinosaur fossils and represent ancient river and lake environments from the Early Cretaceous.

How do you pronounce Barilium?

Barilium is pronounced 'bah-RIL-ee-um', with the emphasis on the middle syllable 'RIL'.

What does Barilium mean?

Barilium means 'heavy' or 'weighty one', referring to the robust and substantial nature of this dinosaur's bone structure compared to its relatives.

How fast could Barilium run?

The exact running speed of Barilium is unknown, but as a large ornithopod, it was likely capable of reaching moderate speeds when necessary, probably similar to modern large herbivorous mammals when fleeing from predators.

What type of dinosaur was Barilium?

Barilium was an ornithopod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the Iguanodontidae family. Ornithopods were herbivorous dinosaurs known for their bird-like hip structure and advanced chewing abilities.

Was Barilium related to birds?

As an ornithischian dinosaur, Barilium was not directly related to modern birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which belonged to the other major group of dinosaurs called saurischians. However, all dinosaurs share common ancestors.

How many Barilium fossils have been found?

Barilium is known primarily from its holotype specimen, which consists of partial skeletal remains including vertebrae, ribs, and pelvic elements. Additional material may exist but has not been definitively assigned to this genus.