Savannasaurus Facts
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 12m |
| Weight | 15 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Australia |

| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 12m |
| Weight | 15 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Australia |
Savannasaurus was a large sauropod dinosaur that lived approximately 100.5 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Queensland, Australia. This impressive herbivore represents one of the most significant dinosaur discoveries in Australian palaeontology, as its holotype specimen nicknamed 'Wade' is the most complete sauropod skeleton ever found on the continent.
As a sauropod, Savannasaurus possessed the characteristic long neck and tail, small head, and massive body typical of this group. Measuring approximately 12 metres in length and standing about 3 metres tall at the hip, it would have weighed around 15 tonnes. Its long neck allowed it to browse on vegetation at various heights, from ground-level ferns to tall conifer trees that dominated the Cretaceous landscape.
Savannasaurus lived alongside other fascinating dinosaurs in the ancient Australian ecosystem, including its close relative Diamantinasaurus and the fearsome theropod Australovenator. Evidence suggests that Australovenator may have occasionally preyed upon sauropods, as teeth from this predator have been found associated with the Savannasaurus specimen, though whether this represents active hunting or scavenging remains uncertain.
The discovery of Savannasaurus has provided crucial insights into the evolution and distribution of titanosaurian sauropods during the Cretaceous period, particularly in the southern hemisphere where such complete specimens are exceptionally rare.
Savannasaurus was distinguished by its robust build typical of titanosaurian sauropods, with a relatively shorter neck compared to earlier sauropods and a broad, barrel-shaped body. Its limb bones show adaptations for supporting its massive weight on the soft, swampy terrain of Cretaceous Australia.
Savannasaurus likely lived in herds, moving slowly through the lush Cretaceous landscapes whilst feeding on vegetation for most of the day. Its long neck allowed it to feed without moving its massive body frequently, conserving energy whilst accessing a wide variety of plant material from different heights.
Savannasaurus was first described by Stephen Poropat in 2016. The original fossils were discovered at Winton Formation, Queensland, Australia.