Lourinhasaurus Facts
Pronunciation: loh-REEN-ah-SORE-us
Name meaning: Lizard from Lourinhã
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 4m |
| Length | 15m |
| Weight | 12 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Portugal |
Lourinhasaurus was a large herbivorous sauropod dinosaur that roamed the coastal plains of what is now Portugal during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 152 million years ago. Despite its name meaning 'lizard from Lourinhã', the type specimen was actually discovered near the town of Alenquer, close to an abandoned mill in the Estremadura region.
As a sauropod, Lourinhasaurus possessed the characteristic long neck and tail, massive body, and four pillar-like legs that supported its considerable weight of around 12 tonnes. Its lengthy neck, estimated at several metres long, allowed it to reach high into the tree canopy to browse on conifers, ferns, and cycads that dominated the Jurassic landscape. The dinosaur's height of approximately 4 metres at the hip and total length of about 15 metres made it an impressive sight.
Like other sauropods, Lourinhasaurus was a peaceful giant that spent most of its time feeding. Its small head housed simple, peg-like teeth designed for stripping vegetation rather than chewing, meaning it likely swallowed stones (gastroliths) to help grind plant matter in its stomach. The creature's research history has been marked by some controversy, with several specimens initially attributed to Lourinhasaurus later being reassigned to other genera as our understanding of sauropod diversity improved.
What made Lourinhasaurus distinctive?
Lourinhasaurus was characterised by its typical sauropod body plan with a very long neck, small head, massive barrel-shaped body, and lengthy whip-like tail. As a member of the Camarasauridae family, it likely had a relatively shorter, more robust skull compared to other sauropod groups, though complete skull material remains limited.
Behaviour
Lourinhasaurus was likely a peaceful browser that moved in small herds across the Portuguese coastal plains, using its long neck to feed on tall vegetation. Like other sauropods, it probably spent most of its day feeding to fuel its massive body, consuming hundreds of kilograms of plant material daily.
Discovery
Lourinhasaurus was first described by Pedro Dantas in 1998. The original fossils were discovered at Near Alenquer, Estremadura, Portugal.
Lourinhasaurus FAQ
What did Lourinhasaurus eat?
Lourinhasaurus was a herbivore that fed on the plants available in
Late Jurassic Portugal, including conifers, ferns, cycads, and other vegetation. It used its long neck to reach high into trees and likely swallowed stones to help digest tough plant material in its stomach.
How big was Lourinhasaurus?
Lourinhasaurus was approximately 15 metres long and stood about 4 metres tall at the hip. It weighed an estimated 12 tonnes, making it a substantial but not exceptionally large member of the sauropod group.
When did Lourinhasaurus live?
Lourinhasaurus lived during the
Late Jurassic period, approximately 152.21 million years ago. This was a time when sauropod dinosaurs were at their most diverse and widespread across the globe.
Where was Lourinhasaurus found?
Lourinhasaurus fossils were discovered in Portugal, specifically near the town of Alenquer in the Estremadura region. The type specimen was found close to an abandoned mill and is now housed in the Geological Museum of Lisbon.
How do you pronounce Lourinhasaurus?
Lourinhasaurus is pronounced 'loh-REEN-ah-SORE-us', with emphasis on the second syllable. The name comes from the Portuguese region of Lourinhã combined with the Greek word 'saurus' meaning lizard.
What does Lourinhasaurus mean?
Lourinhasaurus means 'lizard from Lourinhã', named after the Lourinhã region in Portugal. Ironically, the type specimen was actually found near Alenquer rather than in Lourinhã municipality itself.
How fast could Lourinhasaurus run?
Like most large sauropods, Lourinhasaurus was not built for speed. Its massive size and pillar-like legs suggest it moved at a steady walking pace, probably no faster than a few kilometres per hour when necessary.
What type of dinosaur was Lourinhasaurus?
Lourinhasaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the family Camarasauridae. Sauropods were the long-necked, long-tailed giants of the dinosaur world, known for being the largest land animals that ever lived.
Was Lourinhasaurus related to birds?
As a sauropod, Lourinhasaurus belonged to the saurischian (lizard-hipped) dinosaurs, the same major group that gave rise to birds. However, sauropods were not directly ancestral to birds - that lineage came from theropod dinosaurs, the other major saurischian group.
How many Lourinhasaurus fossils have been found?
Lourinhasaurus is known primarily from its type specimen discovered near Alenquer. While other fossils were initially referred to this genus, many have since been reassigned to other species, reflecting the ongoing challenges in sauropod classification.
