Klamelisaurus Facts
Pronunciation: KLAH-mel-ih-SORE-us
Name meaning: Klamelisaurus is named after the Karamay region in China where it was discovered
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3.5m |
| Length | 15m |
| Weight | 12 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Middle Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | China |
Klamelisaurus was a magnificent sauropod dinosaur that roamed the ancient landscapes of China during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 165 million years ago. This impressive herbivore was discovered in the Shishugou Formation near the abandoned town of Jiangjunmiao in Xinjiang province, where its partial skeleton was unearthed in 1982 and later described by palaeontologist Zhao Xijin in 1993.
Like other sauropods, Klamelisaurus possessed the classic long-necked, long-tailed body plan that made these dinosaurs so distinctive. Measuring around 15 metres in length and standing approximately 3.5 metres tall at the hip, it was a substantial creature weighing an estimated 12 tonnes. Its elongated neck would have allowed it to reach high into the tree canopy to browse on conifers, ferns, and other Jurassic vegetation that other dinosaurs couldn't access.
As a plant-eater, Klamelisaurus would have spent most of its time foraging for food to fuel its massive body. Its teeth were adapted for stripping vegetation rather than chewing, so like other sauropods, it likely swallowed stones called gastroliths to help grind up plant matter in its digestive system. The discovery of Klamelisaurus has provided valuable insights into sauropod diversity during the Middle Jurassic period in Asia.
Initially, Zhao Xijin classified Klamelisaurus as the sole member of its own subfamily, but the dinosaur remained relatively understudied until Andrew Moore and colleagues provided a detailed redescription in 2020, helping to clarify its place in the sauropod family tree.
What made Klamelisaurus distinctive?
Klamelisaurus had the characteristic long neck and tail of sauropod dinosaurs, with a relatively small head compared to its massive body. Its neck vertebrae show distinctive features that help palaeontologists distinguish it from other Middle Jurassic sauropods.
Behaviour
Klamelisaurus likely lived in herds, as evidenced by trackway fossils of other sauropods from similar time periods. It would have been a gentle giant, spending most of its time peacefully browsing on vegetation and possibly migrating seasonally in search of fresh plant growth.
Discovery
Klamelisaurus was first described by Zhao Xijin in 1993. The original fossils were discovered at Shishugou Formation, near Jiangjunmiao, Xinjiang, China.
Klamelisaurus FAQ
What did Klamelisaurus eat?
Klamelisaurus was a herbivore that fed on the plants available during the
Middle Jurassic period, including conifers, ferns, cycads, and ginkgoes. Its long neck allowed it to reach vegetation high in the tree canopy that other dinosaurs couldn't access.
How big was Klamelisaurus?
Klamelisaurus measured approximately 15 metres in length and stood about 3.5 metres tall at the hip. It weighed an estimated 12 tonnes, making it a substantial but not gigantic member of the sauropod family.
When did Klamelisaurus live?
Klamelisaurus lived during the
Middle Jurassic period, approximately 165.3 million years ago. This was a time when the climate was warm and humid, and dinosaurs were diversifying rapidly.
Where was Klamelisaurus found?
Klamelisaurus was discovered in China, specifically in the Shishugou Formation near the abandoned town of Jiangjunmiao in Xinjiang province. The fossil was found in 1982 but wasn't formally described until 1993.
How do you pronounce Klamelisaurus?
Klamelisaurus is pronounced 'KLAH-mel-ih-SORE-us'. The name refers to the Karamay region in China where this dinosaur was discovered.
What does Klamelisaurus mean?
Klamelisaurus is named after the Karamay region in China where it was discovered. The name combines this regional reference with the Greek word 'saurus', meaning lizard, as is common with dinosaur names.
How fast could Klamelisaurus run?
Like most large sauropods, Klamelisaurus was not built for speed. Its massive size and quadrupedal stance meant it likely moved at a walking pace, probably no faster than a modern elephant.
What type of dinosaur was Klamelisaurus?
Klamelisaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Mamenchisauridae. Sauropods were the long-necked, long-tailed herbivorous dinosaurs that included some of the largest land animals ever to exist.
Was Klamelisaurus related to birds?
While all dinosaurs share a common ancestor with modern birds, Klamelisaurus was a sauropod, which belonged to a different major group (Sauropodomorpha) than the theropods that gave rise to birds. So whilst distantly related, Klamelisaurus was not on the direct evolutionary line to modern birds.
How many Klamelisaurus fossils have been found?
Klamelisaurus is known from a single partial skeleton discovered in 1982. This specimen forms the basis of our knowledge about this dinosaur, though more fossils may be discovered in the future as exploration of the Shishugou Formation continues.
