Maraapunisaurus Facts
Pronunciation: mah-rah-poo-nee-SORE-us
Name meaning: Huge reptile
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | uncertain, possibly 9-12m |
| Length | uncertain, estimated 35-58m |
| Weight | 150 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | North America |
Maraapunisaurus is one of palaeontology's greatest mysteries - a colossal sauropod dinosaur that may have been the largest animal ever to walk the Earth, yet exists today only as sketches and field notes. Originally discovered in Colorado's Morrison Formation in 1878 and named Amphicoelias fragillimus, this enigmatic giant was recently renamed to honour the Ute people of the region where it was found.
Living during the Late Jurassic period between 156 and 145 million years ago, Maraapunisaurus inhabited the lush, subtropical landscape of western North America. As a sauropod, it possessed the classic long-necked body plan of these herbivorous titans, with four pillar-like legs supporting an enormous body, an extraordinarily long neck for reaching high vegetation, and a lengthy tail that likely served as a counterbalance.
The creature's diet consisted entirely of plants, and like other sauropods, it would have spent most of its time feeding on conifers, ferns, and cycads. Its massive size estimates come from a single enormous vertebra described by palaeontologist Edward Drinker Cope, who calculated that if the complete skeleton matched the proportions of this bone, the animal could have reached lengths of up to 58 metres.
Tragically, the original fossil specimen disappeared sometime after Cope's initial study, leaving only his drawings and measurements as evidence. This has led to intense scientific debate about Maraapunisaurus's true size, with some researchers suggesting the estimates may be exaggerated, whilst others maintain it could indeed have been a record-breaking giant.
What made Maraapunisaurus distinctive?
Maraapunisaurus was distinguished by its potentially record-breaking size, with estimates suggesting it may have been the longest dinosaur ever discovered. The single known vertebra was reportedly much larger than those of other giant sauropods, indicating an animal of unprecedented proportions.
Behaviour
Like other sauropods, Maraapunisaurus likely lived in herds and spent most of its time feeding on vegetation using its long neck to reach plants other dinosaurs couldn't access. Its enormous size would have made it virtually immune to predator attacks once fully grown.
Discovery
Maraapunisaurus was first described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1878. The original fossils were discovered at Morrison Formation, Colorado, USA.
Maraapunisaurus FAQ
What did Maraapunisaurus eat?
Maraapunisaurus was a herbivore that fed exclusively on plants. Like other sauropods, it would have eaten conifers, ferns, cycads, and other vegetation available during the
Late Jurassic period, using its long neck to reach high into trees that other dinosaurs couldn't access.
How big was Maraapunisaurus?
Size estimates vary dramatically, but Maraapunisaurus may have reached 35-58 metres in length and weighed around 150 tonnes. However, these figures are highly uncertain as they're based on a single lost vertebra, and some scientists question whether the original measurements were accurate.
When did Maraapunisaurus live?
Maraapunisaurus lived during the
Late Jurassic period, approximately 156 to 145 million years ago. This was during the golden age of sauropods, when these giant long-necked dinosaurs dominated the landscape of western North America.
Where was Maraapunisaurus found?
Maraapunisaurus was discovered in the Morrison Formation of Colorado, USA. The Morrison Formation is famous for its
Late Jurassic dinosaur fossils and stretches across much of the western United States, preserving an ancient ecosystem of giants.
How do you pronounce Maraapunisaurus?
Maraapunisaurus is pronounced 'mah-rah-poo-nee-SORE-us'. The name comes from the Ute language and means 'huge reptile', replacing the original Greek-derived name
Amphicoelias fragillimus.
What does Maraapunisaurus mean?
Maraapunisaurus means 'huge reptile' in the Ute language. This name was chosen in 2018 to honour the Ute people who are indigenous to the Colorado region where the fossil was discovered. The original name,
Amphicoelias fragillimus, meant 'fragile double hollow'.
How fast could Maraapunisaurus run?
Like other giant sauropods, Maraapunisaurus was almost certainly a slow-moving animal. Its enormous size and weight would have limited it to walking speeds, probably no faster than a few kilometres per hour at most.
What type of dinosaur was Maraapunisaurus?
Maraapunisaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Rebbachisauridae. Sauropods were the largest land animals ever to exist, characterised by their long necks, long tails, small heads, and four pillar-like legs that supported their massive bodies.
Was Maraapunisaurus related to birds?
As a sauropod dinosaur, Maraapunisaurus was part of the Saurischia group, which does include the ancestors of modern birds. However, sauropods were not closely related to birds - they were on a separate branch of the dinosaur family tree that led to the giant long-necked herbivores.
How many Maraapunisaurus fossils have been found?
Only one fossil of Maraapunisaurus has ever been found - a single enormous vertebra discovered in 1878. Tragically, this specimen was lost sometime after being studied and described, leaving only Edward Drinker Cope's original drawings and field notes as evidence of its existence.
