Puertasaurus Facts
Pronunciation: PWER-ta-SORE-us
Name meaning: Puerta's lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 7m |
| Length | 35m |
| Weight | 80 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Argentina |
Puertasaurus was one of the largest sauropod dinosaurs ever discovered, living in what is now Argentina during the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 83.6 million years ago. This massive herbivore belonged to the Titanosauria, the dominant group of sauropods during the Cretaceous era. Despite being known from just four vertebrae, these bones reveal enough about Puertasaurus to confirm it was truly gigantic, potentially rivalling other South American giants like Argentinosaurus in size.
The preserved vertebrae of Puertasaurus include one cervical (neck), one dorsal (back), and two caudal (tail) vertebrae. These bones are remarkably well-preserved and demonstrate the enormous scale of this sauropod. The dorsal vertebra alone measures over 1.5 metres in height, suggesting a creature of unprecedented proportions. Like other sauropods, Puertasaurus would have had a long neck for reaching vegetation at various heights, a massive body supported by four pillar-like legs, and an equally long tail for balance.
As a herbivore, Puertasaurus would have fed on the diverse plant life of Late Cretaceous Patagonia, which included conifers, ferns, and flowering plants. Its enormous size likely provided protection from predators, though it would have shared its environment with large theropods. The discovery of Puertasaurus has provided valuable insights into the incredible diversity and size range of titanosaur sauropods in South America during the final period of the age of dinosaurs.
What made Puertasaurus distinctive?
Puertasaurus was distinguished by its absolutely massive size, with vertebrae indicating it was one of the largest land animals ever to exist. Its dorsal vertebra measures over 1.5 metres in height, suggesting an enormous body even by sauropod standards.
Behaviour
Like other sauropods, Puertasaurus likely lived in herds and spent most of its time feeding on vegetation using its long neck to reach plants at different heights. Its massive size would have made it relatively safe from predators once fully grown, though juveniles may have been more vulnerable.
Discovery
Puertasaurus was first described by Fernando Novas and colleagues in 2005. The original fossils were discovered at Cerro Fortaleza Formation, Patagonia, Argentina.
Puertasaurus FAQ
What did Puertasaurus eat?
Puertasaurus was a herbivore that fed on the diverse plant life of
Late Cretaceous Patagonia, including conifers, ferns, and early flowering plants. It used its long neck to reach vegetation at various heights, from ground level to the tops of tall trees.
How big was Puertasaurus?
Puertasaurus was enormous, estimated to have reached about 35 metres in length and 7 metres in height at the hip, weighing approximately 80 tonnes. These estimates are based on just four vertebrae, but they suggest it was one of the largest land animals ever.
When did Puertasaurus live?
Puertasaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 83.6 million years ago. This was during the Campanian or Maastrichtian age, near the end of the age of dinosaurs.
Where was Puertasaurus found?
Puertasaurus was discovered in the Cerro Fortaleza Formation in southwestern Patagonia, Argentina. This region has proven to be rich in
Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils, particularly giant sauropods.
How do you pronounce Puertasaurus?
Puertasaurus is pronounced 'PWER-ta-SORE-us'. The name comes from Pablo Puerta, one of the fossil hunters who discovered it, combined with the Greek word 'saurus' meaning lizard.
What does Puertasaurus mean?
Puertasaurus means 'Puerta's lizard', named in honour of Pablo Puerta, who along with Santiago Reuil discovered and prepared the fossil specimen. The species name 'reuili' also honours Santiago Reuil.
How fast could Puertasaurus run?
Due to its enormous size and weight, Puertasaurus likely moved quite slowly, probably at a walking pace similar to modern elephants. Its massive bulk would have made quick movement impossible, but its size provided protection from predators.
What type of dinosaur was Puertasaurus?
Puertasaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, specifically a member of the Titanosauridae family. Sauropods were characterised by their long necks, long tails, small heads, and massive bodies supported by four pillar-like legs.
Was Puertasaurus related to birds?
Puertasaurus belonged to the Saurischia group of dinosaurs, which did eventually give rise to birds through the theropod lineage. However, as a sauropod, Puertasaurus was only distantly related to birds and represents a very different evolutionary path.
How many Puertasaurus fossils have been found?
Only one Puertasaurus specimen has been found, consisting of four well-preserved vertebrae: one cervical (neck), one dorsal (back), and two caudal (tail) vertebrae. Despite this limited material, the bones are so distinctive and large that scientists can confidently identify it as a unique species.
