Muttaburrasaurus Facts
Pronunciation: MUT-ah-BURR-ah-SORE-us
Name meaning: Muttaburra Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 7m |
| Weight | 2.8 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | Australia |
Muttaburrasaurus was a large herbivorous ornithopod dinosaur that roamed the lush forests of north-eastern Australia during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 106 million years ago. This impressive dinosaur measured around 7 metres in length and stood about 3 metres tall at the hip, making it one of Australia's largest known dinosaurs. Unlike many of its ornithopod relatives, Muttaburrasaurus possessed several unique features that set it apart from other plant-eating dinosaurs of its time.
The most distinctive characteristic of Muttaburrasaurus was its unusual skull, which featured a prominent bump or crest above the nasal area. This inflated nasal region may have been used for producing loud calls to communicate with other members of its species across the dense Cretaceous forests. The dinosaur had a relatively small head compared to its body size, with a beak-like mouth perfect for cropping vegetation and rows of grinding teeth for processing tough plant material.
As an ornithopod, Muttaburrasaurus was primarily bipedal, walking upright on its powerful hind legs, though it could also move on all fours when feeding on low-growing plants. Its long tail helped balance its body whilst moving, and its strong arms ended in grasping hands that could manipulate vegetation. The dinosaur's robust build and efficient digestive system made it well-adapted to processing the ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants that dominated the Australian landscape during the Cretaceous period.
Remarkably, Muttaburrasaurus holds the distinction of being Australia's second most completely known dinosaur from skeletal remains, providing paleontologists with valuable insights into the continent's ancient ecosystems. Its discovery has been so significant to Australian paleontology that it was chosen as the official fossil emblem of Queensland from amongst twelve candidates.
What made Muttaburrasaurus distinctive?
Muttaburrasaurus is most easily recognised by its distinctive inflated nasal crest, which formed a prominent bump above its nose area. It had a relatively small head with a beak-like snout, powerful hind limbs for bipedal locomotion, and grasping hands with strong fingers for manipulating vegetation.
Behaviour
Muttaburrasaurus likely lived in herds, using its nasal crest to produce loud honking calls for communication across the dense Cretaceous forests. It was primarily bipedal when moving but could drop to all fours when feeding on ground-level vegetation, using its beak to crop plants and its grinding teeth to process tough fibrous material.
Discovery
Muttaburrasaurus was first described by Alan Bartholomai and Ralph Molnar in 1981. The original fossils were discovered at Muttaburra, Queensland, Australia.
Muttaburrasaurus FAQ
What did Muttaburrasaurus eat?
Muttaburrasaurus was a herbivore that fed on the vegetation available in
Early Cretaceous Australia, including ferns, cycads, conifers, and possibly early flowering plants. It used its beak-like mouth to crop vegetation and its grinding teeth to process tough plant material.
How big was Muttaburrasaurus?
Muttaburrasaurus was quite large, measuring approximately 7 metres in length and standing about 3 metres tall at the hip. It weighed an estimated 2.8 tonnes, making it one of the largest dinosaurs known from Australia.
When did Muttaburrasaurus live?
Muttaburrasaurus lived during the
Early Cretaceous period, specifically during the Albian-Cenomanian stages, approximately 106.3 million years ago. This was a time when Australia was covered in lush forests and had a much warmer, more humid climate than today.
Where was Muttaburrasaurus found?
Muttaburrasaurus was discovered near the town of Muttaburra in Queensland, Australia, which is where it gets its name. The fossils were found in north-eastern Australia, in rocks that date back to the
Early Cretaceous period.
How do you pronounce Muttaburrasaurus?
Muttaburrasaurus is pronounced 'MUT-ah-BURR-ah-SORE-us'. The name comes from Muttaburra, the Queensland town where it was discovered, combined with the Greek word 'saurus' meaning lizard.
What does Muttaburrasaurus mean?
Muttaburrasaurus means 'Muttaburra Lizard', named after the town of Muttaburra in Queensland where the first fossils were discovered. The name honours the local area where this important Australian dinosaur was found.
How fast could Muttaburrasaurus run?
The exact speed of Muttaburrasaurus is not known, as estimating dinosaur speeds is challenging. However, as a large bipedal ornithopod, it was likely capable of reaching moderate speeds when necessary, though it probably spent most of its time moving slowly whilst feeding.
What type of dinosaur was Muttaburrasaurus?
Muttaburrasaurus was an ornithopod dinosaur, belonging to the plant-eating group that includes famous dinosaurs like
Iguanodon. However, its exact family relationships are still debated, with some scientists placing it in different groups within the ornithopod family tree.
Was Muttaburrasaurus related to birds?
As an ornithischian dinosaur, Muttaburrasaurus was not directly related to modern birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which belonged to a different major group called Saurischia. However, all dinosaurs, including Muttaburrasaurus, share a common ancestor with birds.
How many Muttaburrasaurus fossils have been found?
Several Muttaburrasaurus specimens have been discovered, making it one of the best-known Australian dinosaurs. The original specimen found in 1963 was quite complete, and additional fossils have been found since then, though it's not as well-represented as some famous dinosaurs from other continents.
