Beishanlong Facts
Pronunciation: BAY-shan-long
Name meaning: Beishan Dragon
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Height | 3.5m |
| Length | 8m |
| Weight | 1.5 tonnes |
| Speed | 50 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | China |
Beishanlong was a massive theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 121 million years ago in what is now China. This remarkable creature belonged to the ornithomimosaurs, often called 'ostrich dinosaurs' due to their bird-like appearance and long legs built for speed. Beishanlong holds the distinction of being the second-largest ornithomimosaur ever discovered, dwarfed only by the enigmatic Deinocheirus.
Standing about 3.5 metres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 8 metres in length, Beishanlong was a giant amongst its kind. Most ornithomimosaurs were much smaller, making this theropod truly exceptional. Its long, powerful legs suggest it was built for running, despite its enormous size, and it likely could reach speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour when necessary.
Like other ornithomimosaurs, Beishanlong was probably an omnivore with a varied diet. Its toothless beak would have been perfect for snapping up small animals, whilst also allowing it to strip leaves, fruits, and seeds from plants. This flexible feeding strategy may have contributed to the success of ornithomimosaurs during the Cretaceous period.
Beishanlong lived in the ancient landscapes of what is now the Gansu Province in northwestern China. During the Early Cretaceous, this region enjoyed a warm, humid climate with lush vegetation, providing an ideal environment for large theropods like Beishanlong to thrive.
What made Beishanlong distinctive?
Beishanlong was distinguished by its enormous size amongst ornithomimosaurs, standing 3.5 metres tall with exceptionally long, powerful legs built for speed. Its toothless beak and long neck gave it a distinctly bird-like appearance, whilst its massive frame made it truly imposing compared to its smaller relatives.
Behaviour
Beishanlong likely lived in small groups or pairs, using its excellent eyesight and speed to avoid predators across the open landscapes of Early Cretaceous China. Its omnivorous diet meant it would have spent time both hunting small prey and foraging for plant material, possibly using its height advantage to reach vegetation other dinosaurs couldn't access.
Discovery
Beishanlong was first described by Xu Xing and colleagues in 2010. The original fossils were discovered at Yujingzi Basin, Gansu Province, China.
Beishanlong FAQ
What did Beishanlong eat?
Beishanlong was an omnivore with a varied diet. Its toothless beak was perfect for catching small animals like lizards, mammals, and insects, whilst also allowing it to strip leaves, fruits, and seeds from plants. This flexible feeding strategy was typical of ornithomimosaurs and likely contributed to their success during the Cretaceous period.
How big was Beishanlong?
Beishanlong was enormous for an ornithomimosaur, standing about 3.5 metres tall at the hip and measuring roughly 8 metres in total length. It weighed approximately 1.5 tonnes, making it the second-largest ornithomimosaur ever discovered, surpassed only by the related
Deinocheirus.
When did Beishanlong live?
Beishanlong lived during the
Early Cretaceous period, approximately 121.4 million years ago. This was a time when the climate was warm and humid, with lush vegetation covering much of what is now China, providing an ideal environment for large theropods.
Where was Beishanlong found?
Beishanlong fossils were discovered in the Yujingzi Basin in Gansu Province, northwestern China. This region has proven rich in
Early Cretaceous fossils and has helped scientists understand the diversity of dinosaurs that lived in ancient China.
How do you pronounce Beishanlong?
Beishanlong is pronounced 'BAY-shan-long'. The name breaks down into three syllables, with emphasis on the first syllable 'BAY', followed by 'shan' and ending with 'long'.
What does Beishanlong mean?
Beishanlong means 'Beishan Dragon' in Chinese. The name refers to the Beishan area near where the dinosaur was discovered in Gansu Province, northwestern China. 'Long' means dragon in Chinese and is commonly used in Chinese dinosaur names.
How fast could Beishanlong run?
Despite its massive size, Beishanlong could likely reach speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour. Its long, powerful legs were built for speed, following the typical ornithomimosaur body plan optimised for running, even though it was much larger than most of its relatives.
What type of dinosaur was Beishanlong?
Beishanlong was a theropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the family Ornithomimidae. These dinosaurs are often called 'ostrich dinosaurs' because of their bird-like appearance, long legs, and toothless beaks. Beishanlong was unusual for being exceptionally large compared to other ornithomimosaurs.
Was Beishanlong related to birds?
Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Beishanlong was related to modern birds. Theropods are the dinosaur group from which birds evolved, and ornithomimosaurs like Beishanlong were particularly bird-like in their appearance and behaviour, though they were not direct ancestors of birds.
How many Beishanlong fossils have been found?
Beishanlong is known from limited fossil material discovered in the Yujingzi Basin of China. Like many dinosaur species, it is based on incomplete remains, but enough material was found to identify it as a distinct species and recognise its impressive size amongst ornithomimosaurs.
