Bugenasaura Facts
Pronunciation: boo-JEN-ah-SORE-ah
Name meaning: Large-cheeked Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 1.2m |
| Length | 3.5m |
| Weight | 200 kg |
| Speed | 25 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | North America |
Bugenasaura was originally described as a distinct ornithopod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, though it is now considered to be the same species as Thescelosaurus neglectus. This medium-sized herbivore lived between 93.9 and 72.2 million years ago across what is now western North America, inhabiting the lush floodplains and forests of the Late Cretaceous world.
As an ornithopod, Bugenasaura was built for both bipedal running and quadrupedal browsing. It measured approximately 3.5 metres in length and stood about 1.2 metres tall at the hip, weighing roughly 200 kilograms. The dinosaur's most distinctive feature was its enlarged cheek region, which gave it its name meaning 'large-cheeked lizard'. These prominent cheeks housed powerful jaw muscles for processing tough plant material.
Bugenasaura possessed a relatively small head compared to its body, with a pointed snout perfect for selective feeding on ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants. Its teeth were well-suited for cutting and grinding vegetation, whilst its muscular legs allowed it to move quickly when threatened by predators. The dinosaur's long tail helped maintain balance whether walking on two or four legs.
Like other ornithopods of its time, Bugenasaura shared its environment with fearsome predators such as Tyrannosaurus rex, making speed and alertness essential for survival in the dangerous Late Cretaceous ecosystems of North America.
What made Bugenasaura distinctive?
Bugenasaura was characterised by notably enlarged cheek regions that housed powerful jaw muscles for plant processing. It had a relatively small, pointed head with specialised teeth for cutting vegetation, and a robust but agile body built for both bipedal running and quadrupedal browsing.
Behaviour
Bugenasaura likely lived in small herds for protection against predators, using its keen senses to detect danger whilst feeding. When threatened, it could rear up on its powerful hind legs to run at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour, using its long tail for balance during rapid escapes.
Discovery
Bugenasaura was first described by Peter Galton in 1987. The original fossils were discovered at Hell Creek Formation, South Dakota, USA.
Bugenasaura FAQ
What did Bugenasaura eat?
Bugenasaura was a herbivore that fed on ferns, cycads, conifers, and early flowering plants. Its enlarged cheeks and specialised teeth allowed it to efficiently process tough plant material by cutting and grinding vegetation before swallowing.
How big was Bugenasaura?
Bugenasaura measured approximately 3.5 metres in length and stood about 1.2 metres tall at the hip. It weighed around 200 kilograms, making it a medium-sized dinosaur comparable to a large horse in terms of bulk.
When did Bugenasaura live?
Bugenasaura lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, between 93.9 and 72.2 million years ago. This was near the end of the Age of Dinosaurs, shortly before the mass extinction event that ended the Mesozoic Era.
Where was Bugenasaura found?
Bugenasaura fossils were discovered in North America, specifically in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota, USA. This region was once a warm, humid floodplain environment during the
Late Cretaceous period.
How do you pronounce Bugenasaura?
Bugenasaura is pronounced 'boo-JEN-ah-SORE-ah'. The name breaks down into 'bugen' (meaning large), 'saura' (meaning lizard), referring to its distinctive enlarged cheek region.
What does Bugenasaura mean?
Bugenasaura means 'large-cheeked lizard' in Greek and Latin. The name refers to the dinosaur's most distinctive feature - its notably enlarged cheek regions that housed powerful muscles for processing plant material.
How fast could Bugenasaura run?
Bugenasaura could reach estimated speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour when running on its hind legs. This speed would have been crucial for escaping predators like
Tyrannosaurus rex in its
Late Cretaceous environment.
What type of dinosaur was Bugenasaura?
Bugenasaura was classified as an ornithopod dinosaur, though it is now considered synonymous with
Thescelosaurus neglectus. Ornithopods were herbivorous dinosaurs known for their ability to walk on both two and four legs.
Was Bugenasaura related to birds?
As an ornithischian dinosaur, Bugenasaura was not directly ancestral to modern birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which belonged to a different major dinosaur group called Saurischia, though all dinosaurs share common ancestry.
How many Bugenasaura fossils have been found?
Only a few Bugenasaura specimens have been discovered, primarily from the Hell Creek Formation. The limited fossil material contributed to its eventual reclassification as a synonym of the better-known
Thescelosaurus neglectus.
