| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 12m |
| Weight | 8 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | China |
Qiaowanlong was a massive sauropod dinosaur that roamed what is now northwestern China during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 121 million years ago. This enormous herbivore was discovered in the Yujinzi Basin of Gansu Province, where its fossilised remains were preserved in the Xiagou Formation. Like other sauropods, Qiaowanlong possessed the characteristic long neck and tail that made these dinosaurs some of the most recognisable giants of the Mesozoic Era.
Standing roughly 3 metres tall at the hip and stretching about 12 metres in length, Qiaowanlong would have weighed approximately 8 tonnes. Its long, flexible neck allowed it to reach vegetation at various heights, from ground-level ferns to tall conifers. The dinosaur's massive body was supported by four sturdy, pillar-like legs, perfectly adapted for carrying its tremendous weight across the ancient Chinese landscape.
As a herbivore, Qiaowanlong spent its days browsing on the abundant plant life of the Early Cretaceous period. Its teeth were designed for stripping leaves and soft plant material rather than chewing, so it likely swallowed stones to help grind food in its stomach. The dinosaur's small head, despite containing a relatively tiny brain, housed sensory organs that helped it navigate its environment and detect both food sources and potential threats.
Qiaowanlong represents an important piece of the puzzle in understanding sauropod evolution in Asia during the Cretaceous period. Its discovery has helped palaeontologists better understand the diversity of these magnificent long-necked dinosaurs that once dominated terrestrial ecosystems across the globe.
Qiaowanlong possessed the classic sauropod features of an extremely long neck and tail, with a relatively small head compared to its massive body. Its neck vertebrae show specific characteristics that distinguish it from other Asian sauropods of the period.
Qiaowanlong likely lived in herds and spent most of its time foraging for vegetation, using its long neck to reach plants at different heights. As a massive herbivore, it would have been constantly feeding to meet its enormous energy requirements.
Qiaowanlong was first described by Lü Junchang and colleagues in 2009. The original fossils were discovered at Yujinzi Basin, Gansu Province, China.
