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barosaurus: herbivore dinosaur from the Jurassic era

Barosaurus Facts

Pronunciation: BARE-oh-SORE-us

Name meaning: Heavy Lizard

Diet	Herbivore
Height	5m
Length	22m
Weight	20 tonnes
Speed	15 km/h
Environment	Land
Era	Jurassic
Period	Late Jurassic
Type	Sauropod
Location	North America

Barosaurus was a massive sauropod dinosaur that thundered across the ancient landscapes of western North America during the Late Jurassic period, between 157.9 and 149.2 million years ago. This colossal herbivore was closely related to the famous Diplodocus, sharing many similar features but growing to even more impressive proportions. Standing about 5 metres tall at the hips and stretching up to 22 metres in length, Barosaurus was truly one of the giants of its time.

Like other sauropods, Barosaurus possessed an extraordinarily long neck that could extend high into the treetops, allowing it to browse on vegetation that other dinosaurs couldn't reach. Its massive body was supported by four pillar-like legs, whilst its equally long tail served as a counterbalance to its neck and may have been used as a defensive weapon against predators. The dinosaur's relatively small head housed simple, peg-like teeth perfectly adapted for stripping leaves and soft plant material rather than chewing.

Barosaurus inhabited the lush, semi-arid environments preserved in the Morrison Formation, sharing its world with other iconic dinosaurs including Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and its close relative Diplodocus. Fossil remains have been discovered across several American states including South Dakota, Utah, and Montana, with possible specimens also found in Colorado, Wyoming, and Oklahoma.

As a herbivore, Barosaurus would have consumed enormous quantities of plant matter daily to fuel its massive body. Scientists estimate these gentle giants could reach speeds of up to 15 kilometres per hour when necessary, though they likely spent most of their time moving slowly through their environment, constantly feeding to maintain their incredible bulk.

What made Barosaurus distinctive?

Barosaurus was distinguished by its exceptionally long neck and tail, massive pillar-like legs, and relatively small head with simple peg-like teeth. Its enormous size and robust build made it one of the most imposing sauropods of the Late Jurassic period.

Behaviour

Barosaurus likely lived in herds for protection, moving slowly through Late Jurassic landscapes whilst constantly browsing on high vegetation. When threatened by predators like Allosaurus, it may have used its massive tail as a defensive weapon or reared up on its hind legs to appear even more intimidating.

Fun Facts About Barosaurus

Barosaurus had one of the longest necks of any dinosaur, containing up to 15 vertebrae and potentially reaching lengths of over 9 metres
A complete Barosaurus skeleton on display at the American Museum of Natural History shows the dinosaur rearing up to protect its young from an Allosaurus attack
The heart of Barosaurus would have needed to be enormous to pump blood all the way up its incredibly long neck to its brain
Barosaurus may have been able to crack its tail like a whip, creating sonic booms to communicate with other members of its herd or ward off predators
Young Barosaurus would have been vulnerable to predators, so adults likely formed protective circles around their offspring, similar to modern elephants

Barosaurus in Popular Culture

Barosaurus features prominently in the American Museum of Natural History's famous dinosaur hall display, where a dramatic mount shows an adult rearing up to defend its young from an attacking Allosaurus.

Scientific Classification

Phylum	Chordata
Class	Saurischia
Family	Diplodocidae
Genus	Barosaurus

Discovery

Barosaurus was first described by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1890. The original fossils were discovered at Morrison Formation, South Dakota, USA.

Barosaurus FAQ

What did Barosaurus eat?

Barosaurus was a herbivore that fed on a variety of plant material including ferns, conifers, and cycads. Its long neck allowed it to reach high into trees to browse on vegetation that other dinosaurs couldn't access, whilst its simple peg-like teeth were perfect for stripping leaves and soft plant matter.

How big was Barosaurus?

Barosaurus was truly massive, standing about 5 metres tall at the hips and reaching lengths of up to 22 metres from nose to tail. It weighed approximately 20 tonnes, making it one of the largest land animals that ever lived.

When did Barosaurus live?

Barosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic period, between 157.9 and 149.2 million years ago. This was a time when the climate was warm and humid, with no ice caps at the poles and sea levels much higher than today.

Where was Barosaurus found?

Barosaurus fossils have been discovered across several states in western North America, including South Dakota, Utah, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. All definitive remains come from the famous Morrison Formation, which preserves one of the richest Late Jurassic ecosystems ever discovered.

How do you pronounce Barosaurus?

Barosaurus is pronounced 'BARE-oh-SORE-us', with emphasis on the first syllable. The name breaks down into 'baro' meaning heavy and 'saurus' meaning lizard.

What does Barosaurus mean?

Barosaurus means 'Heavy Lizard' in ancient Greek. The name comes from 'barys' meaning heavy and 'sauros' meaning lizard, referring to the dinosaur's massive size and weight.

How fast could Barosaurus run?

Despite its enormous size, Barosaurus could reach estimated speeds of up to 15 kilometres per hour when necessary. However, these gentle giants likely spent most of their time moving slowly through their environment whilst feeding, only picking up speed when threatened by predators.

What type of dinosaur was Barosaurus?

Barosaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Diplodocidae. Sauropods were the largest land animals that ever lived, characterised by their long necks, long tails, small heads, and massive bodies supported by four pillar-like legs.

Was Barosaurus related to birds?

As a sauropod, Barosaurus belonged to the saurischian (lizard-hipped) group of dinosaurs, which does include the ancestors of modern birds. However, birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, not sauropods, so whilst Barosaurus shares a common dinosaur ancestor with birds, it's not directly related to them.

How many Barosaurus fossils have been found?

Relatively few complete Barosaurus specimens have been discovered compared to its famous relative Diplodocus. The most complete skeleton is housed at the American Museum of Natural History, though partial remains and individual bones have been found across multiple sites in the Morrison Formation.