Plateosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: PLAT-ee-oh-SORE-us
Name meaning: Flat lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 8m |
| Weight | 4 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Triassic |
| Period | Late Triassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Central And Northern Europe |
Plateosaurus was one of the earliest large sauropod dinosaurs, living during the Late Triassic period between 214 and 204 million years ago across what is now Central and Northern Europe. As a basal sauropodomorph, often called a 'prosauropod', Plateosaurus represents an important step in the evolution towards the giant long-necked dinosaurs that would dominate the Jurassic period.
This impressive dinosaur measured up to 8 metres in length and stood around 3 metres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 4 tonnes. Unlike its later sauropod relatives, Plateosaurus was primarily bipedal, though it could also move on all fours when feeding or moving slowly. It possessed a relatively long neck for its time, a small head with leaf-shaped teeth, powerful hind legs, and strong arms with large claws on its hands.
Plateosaurus was a herbivore that fed on ferns, cycads, and conifers. Its serrated, leaf-shaped teeth were well-suited for stripping vegetation, whilst its long neck allowed it to reach higher plants that other dinosaurs couldn't access. The large claws on its hands may have been used to pull down branches or dig up roots and tubers.
Fossils of Plateosaurus are among the most abundant dinosaur remains from the Triassic period, with hundreds of specimens discovered across Europe. This wealth of fossils has made it one of the best-understood early dinosaurs, providing crucial insights into the evolution and biology of early sauropodomorphs.
What made Plateosaurus distinctive?
Plateosaurus had a relatively small head on a moderately long neck, powerful hind legs built for bipedal locomotion, and distinctive large, curved claws on its hands. Its body was robust with a long tail for balance, and it possessed leaf-shaped, serrated teeth perfect for processing plant material.
Behaviour
Plateosaurus likely lived in herds, as evidenced by mass bone beds containing multiple individuals found together. It was primarily bipedal when moving but could rear up on its hind legs to reach high vegetation, using its tail as a counterbalance. The large hand claws suggest it was capable of defensive behaviour when threatened by predators.
Plateosaurus in Popular Culture
Plateosaurus occasionally appears in dinosaur documentaries and educational programmes about Triassic life, though it is less commonly featured than later, more famous dinosaurs.
Plateosaurus FAQ
What did Plateosaurus eat?
Plateosaurus was a herbivore that fed on Late
Triassic plants including ferns, cycads, conifers, and seed ferns. Its leaf-shaped, serrated teeth were perfectly adapted for stripping and processing tough plant material, whilst its long neck allowed it to reach vegetation other dinosaurs couldn't access.
How big was Plateosaurus?
Plateosaurus grew up to 8 metres long and stood about 3 metres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 4 tonnes. This made it one of the largest land animals of the Late
Triassic period, roughly comparable in size to a modern elephant.
When did Plateosaurus live?
Plateosaurus lived during the Late
Triassic period, approximately 214 to 204 million years ago. This was long before the more famous dinosaurs like
Tyrannosaurus or
Triceratops, making Plateosaurus one of the early pioneers of large dinosaur body sizes.
Where was Plateosaurus found?
Plateosaurus fossils have been discovered across Central and Northern Europe, with particularly rich fossil sites in Germany, Switzerland, and France. The famous bone beds at Trossingen, Germany, have yielded hundreds of Plateosaurus specimens.
How do you pronounce Plateosaurus?
Plateosaurus is pronounced 'PLAT-ee-oh-SORE-us', with emphasis on the first syllable. The name breaks down as 'Plateo' (meaning flat) and 'saurus' (meaning lizard).
What does Plateosaurus mean?
Plateosaurus means 'flat lizard' in Greek. The name refers to the flattened shape of some of the original fossil bones that were discovered, though this was partly due to compression during fossilisation rather than the actual shape of the living animal.
How fast could Plateosaurus run?
The exact running speed of Plateosaurus is unknown, but its powerful hind legs and bipedal stance suggest it could move at a reasonable pace when needed. However, as a large herbivore, it likely spent most of its time moving slowly whilst feeding rather than running.
What type of dinosaur was Plateosaurus?
Plateosaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, specifically an early sauropodomorph often called a 'prosauropod'. It belongs to the family Plateosauridae and represents an important evolutionary step towards the giant long-necked sauropods that would dominate the Jurassic period.
Was Plateosaurus related to birds?
Plateosaurus was not directly related to birds. As a sauropod dinosaur, it belonged to a different major group of dinosaurs than the theropods from which birds evolved. However, all dinosaurs share a common ancestor, so Plateosaurus and birds are distantly related within the broader dinosaur family tree.
How many Plateosaurus fossils have been found?
Hundreds of Plateosaurus fossils have been discovered, making it one of the best-known
Triassic dinosaurs. The bone beds at sites like Trossingen in Germany have yielded remains of over 100 individuals, ranging from juveniles to fully grown adults, providing exceptional insight into its growth and biology.
