Laosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: LAY-oh-SORE-us
Name meaning: Stone Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 0.5m |
| Length | 1.2m |
| Weight | 8 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | North America |
Laosaurus is a problematic small ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 154.8 million years ago. First described by the famous palaeontologist Othniel Charles Marsh in 1878, this dinosaur is known only from very fragmentary fossil remains discovered in Wyoming's Morrison Formation, making it one of the more mysterious creatures from this well-known fossil site.
As an ornithopod, Laosaurus would have been a plant-eating dinosaur that likely moved on two legs, though it may have occasionally dropped to all fours when feeding. Based on the limited fossil evidence, scientists estimate it was quite small, perhaps reaching about 1.2 metres in length and standing roughly 0.5 metres tall at the hip. This would have made it one of the smaller dinosaurs sharing its Late Jurassic world with giants like Diplodocus and Allosaurus.
The fragmentary nature of Laosaurus fossils has led many palaeontologists to question whether it represents a valid dinosaur genus at all. The original specimens consist mainly of incomplete bones that could potentially belong to juvenile individuals of other known ornithopod species. This uncertainty is common in palaeontology, where new discoveries sometimes clarify old mysteries, but Laosaurus remains an enigmatic presence in the Morrison Formation's fossil record.
What made Laosaurus distinctive?
Due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils, no clear distinguishing features can be confidently identified for Laosaurus. The incomplete remains suggest it was a small, lightly-built ornithopod, but specific characteristics that would set it apart from other similar dinosaurs remain unclear.
Behaviour
Very little can be determined about Laosaurus behaviour due to the incomplete fossil record. As a small ornithopod, it likely lived in herds for protection and spent much of its time foraging for low-growing plants, remaining alert for predators in its dangerous Jurassic environment.
Discovery
Laosaurus was first described by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1878. The original fossils were discovered at Morrison Formation, Wyoming, USA.
Laosaurus FAQ
What did Laosaurus eat?
Laosaurus was a herbivore that fed on plants. As a small ornithopod, it would have eaten low-growing vegetation such as ferns, cycads, and other prehistoric plants available during the
Late Jurassic period.
How big was Laosaurus?
Laosaurus was quite small, estimated to be about 1.2 metres long and 0.5 metres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 8 kilograms. However, these estimates are uncertain due to the fragmentary nature of the fossil remains.
When did Laosaurus live?
Laosaurus lived during the
Late Jurassic period, approximately 154.8 million years ago. This was during the Kimmeridgian stage of the Late Jurassic, a time when many famous dinosaurs roamed North America.
Where was Laosaurus found?
Laosaurus fossils were discovered in the Morrison Formation of Wyoming, USA. This famous geological formation has yielded many important dinosaur discoveries and spans across several western American states.
How do you pronounce Laosaurus?
Laosaurus is pronounced 'LAY-oh-SORE-us', with emphasis on the first syllable. The name breaks down as 'Laos' (stone) and 'saurus' (lizard).
What does Laosaurus mean?
Laosaurus means 'Stone Lizard' in Greek. The name was chosen by Othniel Charles Marsh when he first described the dinosaur in 1878, likely referring to the fossilised stone-like remains.
How fast could Laosaurus run?
The running speed of Laosaurus is unknown due to the incomplete fossil record. However, as a small, bipedal ornithopod, it likely could move quite quickly when needed to escape predators.
What type of dinosaur was Laosaurus?
Laosaurus was a small ornithopod dinosaur, part of the plant-eating group that includes famous dinosaurs like
Iguanodon and Parasaurolophus. However, its exact family relationships remain uncertain due to fragmentary fossils.
Was Laosaurus related to birds?
Laosaurus was not directly related to birds. As an ornithopod, it belonged to a different major group of dinosaurs than the theropods from which birds evolved. However, all dinosaurs share common ancestry.
How many Laosaurus fossils have been found?
Very few Laosaurus fossils have been discovered, and those that exist are highly fragmentary. The incomplete nature of the fossil record is why many scientists consider Laosaurus a doubtful genus that may not represent a distinct species.
