Trigonosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: try-GON-oh-SORE-us
Name meaning: Triangle Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 5m |
| Length | 15m |
| Weight | 12 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Brazil |
Trigonosaurus was a sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Brazil. Originally discovered in the Peirópolis region and nicknamed the 'Peirópolis titanosaur', this massive herbivore belonged to the group of sauropods known as titanosaurs, which were amongst the last and largest dinosaurs to walk the Earth.
Like other sauropods, Trigonosaurus would have been a colossal plant-eater with the characteristic long neck and tail, massive body, and four pillar-like legs. It likely spent its days browsing on the abundant vegetation of Late Cretaceous Brazil, using its long neck to reach high into the forest canopy or sweep across wide areas of ground-level plants.
However, the identity of Trigonosaurus has become increasingly uncertain since its original description. The fossil evidence consists mainly of vertebrae from what were thought to be two specimens of the same individual. Recent research has revealed that these specimens may actually represent different dinosaur species entirely, with some possibly belonging to Baurutitan or the newly described Caieiria.
This confusion highlights the challenges palaeontologists face when working with fragmentary fossil remains. The vertebrae that define Trigonosaurus may not provide enough distinctive features to confidently separate it from other Brazilian titanosaurs that lived during the same time period.
What made Trigonosaurus distinctive?
Trigonosaurus was identified primarily by characteristics of its vertebrae, though these features may not be distinctive enough to separate it from other titanosaurs. The original fossils showed typical sauropod vertebral structure with the robust build characteristic of titanosaurs.
Behaviour
As a sauropod, Trigonosaurus would have been a peaceful herbivore, likely living in herds and spending most of its time feeding on vegetation. It would have used its long neck to browse on plants at various heights, from ground level ferns to tall conifer trees.
Discovery
Trigonosaurus was first described by Campos, Kellner, Bertini, and Santucci in 2005. The original fossils were discovered at Serra da Galga Formation, Peirópolis, Brazil.
Trigonosaurus FAQ
What did Trigonosaurus eat?
Trigonosaurus was a herbivore that fed on the abundant plant life of
Late Cretaceous Brazil, including ferns, conifers, and flowering plants that were becoming more common during this period.
How big was Trigonosaurus?
Based on estimates from the vertebrae, Trigonosaurus would have been around 15 metres long and 5 metres tall at the hips, weighing approximately 12 tonnes, though these measurements are uncertain due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils.
When did Trigonosaurus live?
Trigonosaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72.2 million years ago, making it one of the last dinosaurs before the mass extinction event.
Where was Trigonosaurus found?
Trigonosaurus fossils were discovered in the Serra da Galga Formation near Peirópolis in Brazil, an area known for producing many important titanosaur discoveries.
How do you pronounce Trigonosaurus?
Trigonosaurus is pronounced 'try-GON-oh-SORE-us', with emphasis on the second syllable.
What does Trigonosaurus mean?
Trigonosaurus means 'Triangle Lizard' in Greek, though the specific reason for this name choice related to the vertebrae characteristics is not entirely clear from the original description.
How fast could Trigonosaurus run?
Like other large sauropods, Trigonosaurus would have been a slow-moving animal, probably walking at speeds of only a few kilometres per hour due to its massive size and weight.
What type of dinosaur was Trigonosaurus?
Trigonosaurus was classified as a sauropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the family Saltasauridae, though its validity as a distinct species is now questioned by palaeontologists.
Was Trigonosaurus related to birds?
As a sauropod, Trigonosaurus was only distantly related to birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, while sauropods like Trigonosaurus belonged to a different major group of dinosaurs called sauropodomorphs.
How many Trigonosaurus fossils have been found?
Very few Trigonosaurus fossils have been found - the original description was based on vertebrae from just two specimens, and recent research suggests these may actually belong to other dinosaur species entirely.
