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ultrasauros: herbivore dinosaur from the Jurassic era

Ultrasauros Facts

Pronunciation: ULL-tra-SORE-os

Name meaning: Ultra Lizard

Diet	Herbivore
Height	8m
Length	35m
Weight	40 tonnes
Speed	15 km/h
Environment	Land
Era	Jurassic
Period	Late Jurassic
Type	Sauropod
Location	North America

Although originally described as a separate genus, Ultrasauros is now recognised as being the same dinosaur as Supersaurus, making it one of the longest sauropods ever discovered. This massive herbivorous dinosaur roamed the ancient landscapes of North America during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155-152 million years ago, when the region was a warm, humid environment filled with coniferous forests and fern prairies.

As a sauropod, Ultrasauros possessed the classic long-necked body plan that made these dinosaurs so distinctive. With an estimated length of up to 35 metres and weighing around 40 tonnes, it was truly a giant amongst giants. Its enormously long neck, supported by lightweight vertebrae with air-filled chambers, allowed it to reach vegetation high in the treetops that other dinosaurs simply couldn't access.

Like other sauropods, Ultrasauros was a dedicated plant-eater, using its small head and peg-like teeth to strip leaves and soft shoots from branches rather than chewing them. The massive digestive system in its barrel-shaped body, possibly aided by gastroliths (stomach stones), would have processed the enormous quantities of plant material needed to fuel such a large animal.

The discovery of Ultrasauros was part of the ongoing exploration of the incredibly rich Morrison Formation, which has yielded some of the most spectacular dinosaur fossils ever found. Though now considered synonymous with Supersaurus, the original Ultrasauros remains represent some of the most impressive sauropod specimens discovered.

What made Ultrasauros distinctive?

Ultrasauros was characterised by its tremendous size, with an exceptionally long neck that could reach heights of 15 metres or more. Its vertebrae contained extensive air chambers that reduced weight while maintaining strength, and its relatively small head was equipped with simple, peg-like teeth designed for stripping vegetation.

Behaviour

Ultrasauros likely lived in herds, as suggested by trackway evidence from other sauropods of the Morrison Formation. These giants would have migrated seasonally in search of fresh vegetation, with their long necks allowing them to browse on tall conifers and tree ferns whilst their massive size provided protection from predators.

Fun Facts About Ultrasauros

When Ultrasauros was first announced, it was claimed to be over 50 metres long, which would have made it the largest dinosaur ever discovered
The original Ultrasauros fossils included a massive shoulder blade that measured over 2.7 metres in length
Ultrasauros was one of several 'super-sized' sauropods discovered by Jim Jensen in the 1970s and 1980s, earning him the nickname 'Dinosaur Jim'
The mix-up that led to Ultrasauros being synonymised with Supersaurus occurred because fossils from both dinosaurs were found in the same quarry and became mixed together
Despite being reclassified, Ultrasauros remains important to palaeontology as it helped scientists understand the true diversity and size range of Late Jurassic sauropods

Ultrasauros in Popular Culture

Ultrasauros appeared in various dinosaur books and documentaries during the 1980s and 1990s when it was still considered a valid genus, often portrayed as one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered.

Discovery

Ultrasauros was first described by James Jensen in 1985. The original fossils were discovered at Morrison Formation, Colorado, USA.

Ultrasauros FAQ

What did Ultrasauros eat?

Ultrasauros was a herbivore that fed on high-growing vegetation such as conifers, tree ferns, and cycads. Its long neck allowed it to browse on plants up to 15 metres above the ground, well out of reach of other herbivorous dinosaurs.

How big was Ultrasauros?

Ultrasauros reached lengths of up to 35 metres and weighed approximately 40 tonnes. It stood about 8 metres tall at the hips, but could raise its head to heights of 15 metres or more when feeding.

When did Ultrasauros live?

Ultrasauros lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155 to 152 million years ago. This was during the height of the Age of Dinosaurs, when sauropods dominated many ecosystems.

Where was Ultrasauros found?

Ultrasauros fossils were discovered in the Morrison Formation of Colorado, USA. This famous rock formation has yielded numerous spectacular dinosaur fossils from the Late Jurassic period.

How do you pronounce Ultrasauros?

Ultrasauros is pronounced 'ULL-tra-SORE-os', with the emphasis on the first and third syllables.

What does Ultrasauros mean?

Ultrasauros means 'Ultra Lizard', reflecting the enormous size of this dinosaur when it was first described. The name was chosen to emphasise its status as one of the largest dinosaurs known at the time.

How fast could Ultrasauros run?

Ultrasauros could probably move at speeds of up to 15 km/h when necessary, though such a massive animal would rarely have needed to move quickly. Its size alone provided excellent protection from predators.

What type of dinosaur was Ultrasauros?

Ultrasauros was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Diplodocidae. These were the classic long-necked, long-tailed herbivorous dinosaurs that are among the most recognisable of all prehistoric creatures.

Was Ultrasauros related to birds?

Like all dinosaurs, Ultrasauros was distantly related to modern birds, but sauropods like Ultrasauros were not on the direct evolutionary line leading to birds. Birds evolved from small theropod dinosaurs, not from large herbivorous sauropods.

How many Ultrasauros fossils have been found?

Only a few fossil specimens were originally attributed to Ultrasauros, including parts of the backbone, shoulder, and ribs. These fossils are now considered to belong to Supersaurus, making Ultrasauros a junior synonym of that genus.