Barrosasaurus Facts
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 4m |
| Length | 18m |
| Weight | 13.5 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Argentina |

| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 4m |
| Length | 18m |
| Weight | 13.5 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Argentina |
Barrosasaurus was a massive sauropod dinosaur that roamed the ancient landscapes of Argentina during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 94 to 84 million years ago. This titanosaurian giant measured an estimated 18 metres in length and weighed around 13.5 tonnes, making it one of the impressive long-necked herbivores that dominated South America during this time.
As a sauropod, Barrosasaurus possessed the characteristic features of its group: an enormously long neck, a relatively small head, a bulky body, and a lengthy tail. Its four pillar-like legs supported its tremendous weight as it moved across the Cretaceous floodplains of what is now western Argentina. Like other titanosaurians, it likely had a more flexible neck compared to earlier sauropods, allowing it to browse vegetation at various heights.
Barrosasaurus fed exclusively on plants, using its long neck to reach high into the canopy of conifers and other Cretaceous vegetation. Its small head contained simple, peg-like teeth designed for stripping leaves rather than chewing, meaning it swallowed plant material whole and relied on gastroliths (stomach stones) to help grind food in its digestive system.
The discovery of Barrosasaurus is based on three well-preserved dorsal (back) vertebrae found in the fossil-rich Anacleto Formation. While the remains are incomplete, these vertebrae provide valuable insights into the diversity of titanosaurian sauropods that flourished in South America during the Cretaceous period.
Barrosasaurus is distinguished by the specific characteristics of its dorsal vertebrae, which show features typical of titanosaurian sauropods but with unique anatomical details that separate it from other members of this group. The vertebrae display the robust construction typical of large sauropods, designed to support the creature's massive body weight.
Like other sauropods, Barrosasaurus likely lived in herds, moving slowly across the landscape while feeding continuously on vegetation. Its long neck would have allowed it to browse efficiently without needing to move its massive body frequently, conserving energy while accessing food sources at various heights.
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Saurischia |
| Genus | Barrosasaurus |
Barrosasaurus was first described by Leonardo Salgado and Rodolfo Coria in 2009. The original fossils were discovered at Anacleto Formation, Neuquén Province, Argentina.