Saltriosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: sal-tree-oh-SORE-us
Name meaning: Saltrio lizard (named after the Italian town of Saltrio)
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 8m |
| Weight | 1.5 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Early Jurassic |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | Italy |
Saltriosaurus, officially known as Saltriovenator zanellai, was a formidable theropod that prowled the coastal plains of what is now northern Italy during the Early Jurassic period. This large predator lived approximately 199 to 191 million years ago, making it one of the oldest known large theropods and a crucial piece in understanding early dinosaur evolution.
Standing roughly 3 metres tall at the hip and measuring about 8 metres in length, Saltriosaurus was a substantial carnivore that would have dominated its ecosystem. Like other theropods, it walked on two powerful legs and possessed sharp claws and teeth perfectly adapted for hunting. Its robust build suggests it was capable of taking down sizeable prey, from early sauropods to other dinosaurs of its time.
The fossil remains of Saltriosaurus were discovered in a quarry near the town of Saltrio in northern Italy, embedded in rocks that once formed the bottom of a shallow sea. Though only partial remains have been found, scientists have been able to determine that this dinosaur belonged to the ceratosaurian group, sharing characteristics with later predators like Ceratosaurus. The discovery has provided valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of large predatory dinosaurs during the Early Jurassic period.
What made Saltriosaurus distinctive?
Saltriosaurus possessed the typical ceratosaurian features including a robust skull, powerful jaw muscles, and strong limbs built for pursuit hunting. Its large size distinguished it from most other Early Jurassic theropods, and it likely had the characteristic ceratosaurian body proportions with a relatively deep torso.
Behaviour
As a large theropod, Saltriosaurus was likely an apex predator that actively hunted other dinosaurs and large reptiles in its coastal environment. Its powerful build suggests it may have been capable of both ambush hunting and sustained pursuit of prey across the Early Jurassic landscapes of northern Italy.
Discovery
Saltriosaurus was first described by Cristiano Dal Sasso and Simone Maganuco in 2018. The original fossils were discovered at Saltrio, Lombardy, Italy.
Saltriosaurus FAQ
What did Saltriosaurus eat?
Saltriosaurus was a carnivore that hunted other dinosaurs and large reptiles. Its powerful jaws and sharp teeth were perfectly designed for tearing flesh, and it likely preyed on early sauropods, ornithischians, and other theropods that shared its
Early Jurassic environment.
How big was Saltriosaurus?
Saltriosaurus stood approximately 3 metres tall at the hip and measured about 8 metres in total length. It weighed an estimated 1.5 tonnes, making it one of the largest predators of its time and surprisingly large for such an early theropod dinosaur.
When did Saltriosaurus live?
Saltriosaurus lived during the Sinemurian stage of the
Early Jurassic period, approximately 199 to 191 million years ago. This makes it one of the oldest known large theropod dinosaurs and an important species for understanding early dinosaur evolution.
Where was Saltriosaurus found?
Saltriosaurus was discovered in a quarry near the town of Saltrio in Lombardy, northern Italy. The fossils were found in marine rocks, indicating that this dinosaur lived in coastal areas along the ancient Tethys Sea.
How do you pronounce Saltriosaurus?
Saltriosaurus is pronounced 'sal-tree-oh-SORE-us', with emphasis on the final syllable. The name comes from Saltrio, the Italian town where it was discovered, combined with the Greek word 'saurus' meaning lizard.
What does Saltriosaurus mean?
Saltriosaurus means 'Saltrio lizard', named after the town of Saltrio in northern Italy where the fossil was discovered. The official scientific name is actually
Saltriovenator, which means 'Saltrio hunter', reflecting its predatory nature.
How fast could Saltriosaurus run?
The running speed of Saltriosaurus is not precisely known due to incomplete fossil remains. However, as a large theropod with powerful leg bones, it was likely capable of reaching considerable speeds when pursuing prey, probably similar to other large predatory dinosaurs.
What type of dinosaur was Saltriosaurus?
Saltriosaurus was a theropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the Ceratosauridae family. Theropods were bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs, and Saltriosaurus was one of the earliest large members of this successful group of predators.
Was Saltriosaurus related to birds?
Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Saltriosaurus was part of the evolutionary lineage that eventually led to modern birds. However, being from the
Early Jurassic period, it was quite distant from the smaller theropods that would later evolve into the first birds.
How many Saltriosaurus fossils have been found?
Only one partial skeleton of Saltriosaurus has been discovered so far, found in the quarry near Saltrio, Italy. While incomplete, these remains have provided enough information for scientists to classify it as a significant early theropod dinosaur.
