Loricosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: LOR-ih-koh-SORE-us
Name meaning: Corslet Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 12m |
| Weight | 8 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Argentina |
Loricosaurus was a sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85.7 to 72.2 million years ago in what is now Argentina. This fascinating creature represents one of the most intriguing cases in palaeontology, where initial misidentification led to decades of confusion about its true nature.
When first discovered in 1893, Loricosaurus was initially thought to be an ankylosaur due to the presence of distinctive armour plates found with its remains. However, further study revealed that it was actually a sauropod - specifically a titanosaur belonging to the Saltasauridae family. This reclassification was groundbreaking as it provided early evidence that some sauropods possessed body armour, a feature not commonly associated with these long-necked giants.
As a sauropod, Loricosaurus would have been a large, quadrupedal herbivore with the characteristic long neck and tail typical of its group. It likely browsed on high vegetation using its extended neck to reach plants other dinosaurs couldn't access. The presence of protective armour suggests it may have faced significant predation pressure in its Late Cretaceous environment.
Unfortunately, Loricosaurus is known from very fragmentary remains, consisting primarily of the armour plates that initially caused its misclassification. This limited fossil evidence makes it difficult to determine precise details about its size, appearance, and behaviour, leading to its classification as a nomen dubium in modern palaeontology.
What made Loricosaurus distinctive?
Loricosaurus possessed distinctive bony armour plates or osteoderms embedded in its skin, which was unusual for sauropod dinosaurs. These armoured elements were substantial enough to be preserved in the fossil record and initially led scientists to mistake it for an ankylosaur rather than a sauropod.
Behaviour
As a sauropod, Loricosaurus likely spent much of its time feeding on vegetation, using its long neck to browse on conifers and other plants. The presence of armour suggests it may have lived in areas with active predators, requiring defensive adaptations that were uncommon among other sauropods of its time.
Discovery
Loricosaurus was first described by Florentino Ameghino in 1893. The original fossils were discovered at Allen Formation, Neuquén Province, Argentina.
Loricosaurus FAQ
What did Loricosaurus eat?
Loricosaurus was a herbivore that fed on plants. As a sauropod, it likely browsed on conifers, ferns, and other vegetation available during the
Late Cretaceous period, using its long neck to reach high branches that other dinosaurs couldn't access.
How big was Loricosaurus?
Based on estimates from related titanosaurs, Loricosaurus was likely around 12 metres long and 3 metres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 8 tonnes. However, these measurements are uncertain due to the fragmentary nature of the fossil remains.
When did Loricosaurus live?
Loricosaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85.7 to 72.2 million years ago. This places it near the end of the age of dinosaurs, shortly before the mass extinction event that ended the Mesozoic Era.
Where was Loricosaurus found?
Loricosaurus was discovered in the Allen Formation in Neuquén Province, Argentina. This geological formation has yielded numerous important dinosaur fossils from the
Late Cretaceous period.
How do you pronounce Loricosaurus?
Loricosaurus is pronounced 'LOR-ih-koh-SORE-us'. The name breaks down into three syllables with the emphasis on the first syllable.
What does Loricosaurus mean?
Loricosaurus means 'Corslet Lizard'. The name refers to the armour plates found with the fossil, which reminded scientists of a corslet - a type of body armour worn by soldiers in ancient times.
How fast could Loricosaurus run?
Like most sauropods, Loricosaurus was likely a slow-moving dinosaur due to its large size and quadrupedal body plan. Specific speed estimates are not available due to the limited fossil evidence.
What type of dinosaur was Loricosaurus?
Loricosaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, specifically a titanosaur belonging to the Saltasauridae family. Interestingly, it was initially misidentified as an ankylosaur due to its armour plates, but is now correctly recognised as an armoured sauropod.
Was Loricosaurus related to birds?
As a sauropod, Loricosaurus was only distantly related to birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, while sauropods like Loricosaurus belonged to a different major group called sauropodomorpha. However, both groups shared common dinosaurian ancestry.
How many Loricosaurus fossils have been found?
Very few Loricosaurus fossils have been found, consisting mainly of armour plates and fragmentary remains. The limited fossil evidence is why Loricosaurus is considered a nomen dubium, meaning its classification remains uncertain due to insufficient material.
