Uintasaurus Facts
Pronunciation: yoo-IN-tah-SORE-us
Name meaning: Uinta Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 5m |
| Length | 18m |
| Weight | 20 tonnes |
| Speed | 15 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | North America |
Uintasaurus was a large sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 161 to 149 million years ago. Named after the Uinta Mountains where its fossils were discovered, this massive herbivore is now recognised by palaeontologists as being the same creature as Camarasaurus supremus, making Uintasaurus what scientists call a 'junior synonym'.
This enormous sauropod measured around 18 metres in length and stood about 5 metres tall at the hip, weighing an estimated 20 tonnes. Like other sauropods, Uintasaurus had the characteristic long neck, small head, massive body, and lengthy tail that made these dinosaurs some of the largest land animals ever to exist. Its sturdy, pillar-like legs supported its tremendous weight as it moved across the ancient floodplains of what is now the American West.
As a herbivore, Uintasaurus used its long neck to reach high into the canopy of conifers, ferns, and cycads that dominated the Jurassic landscape. Its spoon-shaped teeth were perfectly adapted for stripping vegetation rather than chewing, so it likely swallowed stones called gastroliths to help grind food in its stomach. The discovery of Uintasaurus fossils in the famous Morrison Formation has contributed significantly to our understanding of Late Jurassic ecosystems.
What made Uintasaurus distinctive?
Uintasaurus possessed the typical sauropod features of a very long neck, small head relative to body size, and massive, robust limbs. Its vertebrae contained hollow chambers called pleurocoels that helped reduce weight whilst maintaining strength, and it had spoon-shaped teeth ideal for browsing vegetation.
Behaviour
Uintasaurus likely lived in herds, moving slowly across the landscape whilst feeding almost continuously to fuel its massive body. Evidence suggests it may have engaged in seasonal migrations following food sources, and adults probably protected young from predators by forming defensive circles.
Discovery
Uintasaurus was first described by Charles Whitney Gilmore in 1919. The original fossils were discovered at Morrison Formation, Utah, USA.
Uintasaurus FAQ
What did Uintasaurus eat?
Uintasaurus was a herbivore that fed on the plants available during the
Late Jurassic period, including conifers, ferns, cycads, and ginkgoes. It used its long neck to reach vegetation at various heights and swallowed stones to help digest tough plant material in its stomach.
How big was Uintasaurus?
Uintasaurus was enormous, measuring approximately 18 metres in length and standing about 5 metres tall at the hip. It weighed an estimated 20 tonnes, making it one of the largest land animals of its time.
When did Uintasaurus live?
Uintasaurus lived during the
Late Jurassic period, approximately 161.5 to 149.2 million years ago. This was a time when sauropods dominated many ecosystems and reached their peak diversity.
Where was Uintasaurus found?
Uintasaurus fossils were discovered in North America, specifically in the Morrison Formation in Utah, USA. The creature was named after the nearby Uinta Mountains where the original specimen was found.
How do you pronounce Uintasaurus?
Uintasaurus is pronounced 'yoo-IN-tah-SORE-us'. The name comes from the Uinta Mountains in Utah combined with the Greek word 'saurus' meaning lizard.
What does Uintasaurus mean?
Uintasaurus means 'Uinta Lizard', named after the Uinta Mountains in Utah where its fossils were discovered. The name honours the geographical location of this important palaeontological find.
How fast could Uintasaurus run?
Uintasaurus could likely move at speeds of around 15 km/h when necessary, though its massive size meant it probably moved slowly most of the time. Its legs were built for supporting weight rather than speed.
What type of dinosaur was Uintasaurus?
Uintasaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Camarasauridae. However, it's now considered to be the same species as Camarasaurus supremus rather than a separate genus.
Was Uintasaurus related to birds?
Like all dinosaurs, Uintasaurus was distantly related to modern birds, but as a sauropod, it belonged to a different major group of dinosaurs. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, whilst Uintasaurus was a sauropod.
How many Uintasaurus fossils have been found?
Only a few specimens were originally assigned to Uintasaurus before it was recognised as being the same as Camarasaurus. However, hundreds of Camarasaurus specimens have been found, making it one of the best-known sauropods.
