Datousaurus Facts
Pronunciation: DAH-toe-SORE-us
Name meaning: Big Head Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 4m |
| Length | 15m |
| Weight | 15 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Middle Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | China |
Datousaurus was a fascinating sauropod dinosaur that roamed the lush landscapes of what is now China during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 175-171 million years ago. This long-necked giant lived in the Sichuan Province region, sharing its habitat with a remarkable diversity of other dinosaurs including fellow sauropods like Shunosaurus and Omeisaurus, as well as the spiky Huayangosaurus and the fearsome predator Gasosaurus.
Measuring around 15 metres in length and standing about 4 metres tall at the hips, Datousaurus was a moderately-sized sauropod with the characteristic long neck and tail of its group. True to its name meaning 'big head lizard', this dinosaur had a notably large skull compared to many other sauropods, though it still possessed the typical small head-to-body ratio that defined these gentle giants.
As a herbivore, Datousaurus used its long neck to reach vegetation at various heights, from ground-level ferns and cycads to the crowns of tall conifers. Its teeth were adapted for stripping leaves rather than chewing, and like other sauropods, it likely swallowed stones to help grind up plant matter in its stomach.
The discovery of Datousaurus has provided valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of sauropods during the Middle Jurassic, showing how these magnificent creatures had already established themselves as the dominant large herbivores of their time.
What made Datousaurus distinctive?
Datousaurus had a notably large skull compared to most other sauropods, giving it its distinctive 'big head' appearance. It possessed the typical sauropod body plan with a long neck and tail, but was more modestly sized than later giants like Diplodocus.
Behaviour
Datousaurus likely lived in herds, moving slowly through the Middle Jurassic forests whilst feeding on a variety of plant material. Its long neck allowed it to browse at different levels without moving its massive body, making feeding more efficient in dense woodland environments.
Discovery
Datousaurus was first described by Dong Zhiming and Tang Zilu in 1984. The original fossils were discovered at Lower Shaximiao Formation, Sichuan Province, China.
Datousaurus FAQ
What did Datousaurus eat?
Datousaurus was a herbivore that fed on a variety of plants including ferns, cycads, and conifer needles. It used its long neck to reach vegetation at different heights and swallowed stones to help digest the tough plant material in its stomach.
How big was Datousaurus?
Datousaurus measured approximately 15 metres in length and stood about 4 metres tall at the hips. It weighed around 15 tonnes, making it a medium-sized sauropod compared to later giants.
When did Datousaurus live?
Datousaurus lived during the
Middle Jurassic period, approximately 174.7 to 170.9 million years ago. This was a time when sauropods were becoming the dominant large herbivores.
Where was Datousaurus found?
Datousaurus fossils were discovered in the Lower Shaximiao Formation in Sichuan Province, China. This fossil-rich region has yielded many important dinosaur discoveries from the
Middle Jurassic period.
How do you pronounce Datousaurus?
Datousaurus is pronounced 'DAH-toe-SORE-us'. The name comes from Chinese 'da tou' meaning 'big head' and the Greek 'saurus' meaning 'lizard'.
What does Datousaurus mean?
Datousaurus means 'Big Head Lizard'. The name refers to this dinosaur's unusually large skull compared to other sauropods, which typically had very small heads relative to their body size.
How fast could Datousaurus run?
Like most sauropods, Datousaurus was not built for speed. Its massive size and four-legged stance meant it moved relatively slowly, probably walking at speeds similar to modern elephants.
What type of dinosaur was Datousaurus?
Datousaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the group of long-necked, long-tailed herbivorous dinosaurs. Its exact family classification within the sauropods remains uncertain.
Was Datousaurus related to birds?
Datousaurus was a sauropod, which belonged to the saurischian ('lizard-hipped') dinosaurs. Whilst birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs (also saurischians), sauropods like Datousaurus represent a different branch of the dinosaur family tree.
How many Datousaurus fossils have been found?
Datousaurus is known from limited fossil material, primarily skull and skeletal elements discovered in the 1980s. Like many sauropods, complete skeletons are rare, making each discovery particularly valuable for understanding these magnificent creatures.
