Convolosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: con-VOH-low-SORE-us
Name meaning: Convoluted Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 1.2m |
| Length | 3m |
| Weight | 150 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | North America |
Convolosaurus was a medium-sized ornithopod dinosaur that roamed the ancient landscapes of what is now Texas during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 119.57 million years ago. This recently discovered dinosaur lived in a subtropical environment along ancient river systems and coastal plains that dominated the region during this time.
As an ornithopod, Convolosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur that likely moved on both two and four legs depending on the situation. It measured roughly 3 metres in length and stood about 1.2 metres tall at the hip, making it a moderately-sized member of its group. The dinosaur's build suggests it was well-adapted for browsing on low-growing vegetation, using its specialised teeth to process tough plant material.
Convolosaurus belongs to the Tenontosauridae family, sharing characteristics with other basal ornithopods of its time. Its discovery has added valuable information about the diversity of plant-eating dinosaurs in Early Cretaceous North America, particularly in the southern regions where fewer ornithopod fossils have been found compared to northern areas.
The fossil remains were discovered in the Twin Mountains Formation at Proctor Lake in Texas, an area that has proven rich in Early Cretaceous dinosaur fossils. This discovery helps palaeontologists better understand the ecosystem that existed in this region over 100 million years ago.
What made Convolosaurus distinctive?
Convolosaurus possessed features typical of basal ornithopods, including specialised teeth for processing plant material and a body structure that allowed both bipedal and quadrupedal movement. Its moderate size distinguished it from both smaller and larger ornithopods of its time period.
Behaviour
Convolosaurus likely lived in herds or small groups, grazing on ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants that grew in the subtropical environment of Early Cretaceous Texas. As with other ornithopods, it probably spent much of its time foraging for vegetation and may have been capable of quick movement when threatened by predators.
Discovery
Convolosaurus was first described by Anthony R. Fiorillo and colleagues in 2023. The original fossils were discovered at Twin Mountains Formation, Proctor Lake, Comanche County, Texas, USA.
Convolosaurus FAQ
What did Convolosaurus eat?
Convolosaurus was a herbivore that fed on the plants available in
Early Cretaceous Texas, including ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants. Its specialised teeth were well-adapted for processing tough plant material, allowing it to extract nutrients from the vegetation of its subtropical environment.
How big was Convolosaurus?
Convolosaurus measured approximately 3 metres in length and stood about 1.2 metres tall at the hip. It weighed an estimated 150 kilograms, making it a medium-sized ornithopod dinosaur - larger than some of its smaller relatives but more modest in size compared to later, giant ornithopods.
When did Convolosaurus live?
Convolosaurus lived during the
Early Cretaceous period, specifically around 119.57 million years ago. This places it in the Aptian age of the Early Cretaceous, a time when flowering plants were beginning to diversify and dinosaur communities were flourishing across the globe.
Where was Convolosaurus found?
Convolosaurus fossils were discovered in the Twin Mountains Formation at Proctor Lake in Comanche County, Texas, USA. This geological formation has proved to be an important source of
Early Cretaceous dinosaur fossils, providing insights into the ancient ecosystems of what is now the southern United States.
How do you pronounce Convolosaurus?
Convolosaurus is pronounced 'con-VOH-low-SORE-us', with the emphasis on the second syllable. The name follows the typical pattern of dinosaur names ending in '-saurus', meaning lizard in Greek.
What does Convolosaurus mean?
Convolosaurus means 'Convoluted Lizard', referring to some aspect of the dinosaur's anatomy or the circumstances of its discovery. The name combines Latin and Greek elements, as is common with dinosaur nomenclature.
How fast could Convolosaurus run?
The running speed of Convolosaurus is not well established from the fossil evidence. However, as a medium-sized ornithopod with the ability to move on two legs, it was likely capable of reasonable speeds when escaping from predators, though probably not as fast as some of the more specialised running dinosaurs.
What type of dinosaur was Convolosaurus?
Convolosaurus was an ornithopod dinosaur, specifically a basal member of this group belonging to the family Tenontosauridae. Ornithopods were plant-eating dinosaurs known for their specialised teeth and jaws for processing vegetation, and their ability to move on both two and four legs.
Was Convolosaurus related to birds?
Convolosaurus was not directly related to birds. As an ornithopod, it belonged to the ornithischian branch of dinosaurs, whilst birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs in the saurischian branch. However, both groups share a common dinosaurian ancestor, so there is a distant evolutionary relationship.
How many Convolosaurus fossils have been found?
The exact number of Convolosaurus fossil specimens is not widely detailed in available sources, as it is a very recently described dinosaur. The fossils used to establish the genus and species were found in the Twin Mountains Formation in Texas, but further discoveries may reveal additional specimens in the future.
