The Lirainosaurus was a genus of the Titanosaurid Sauropod that lived during the Upper Cretaceous Period about 71 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in what is now Spain. Even as a titanosaur sauropod, the Lirainosaurus did not reach a gigantic body and was one of the smallest sauropods to ever exist.
Key facts
| Domain | Description |
|---|---|
| Lirainosaurus pronunciation | The name Lirainosaurus can be read as “Le-rayn-o-sore-us”. |
| What does Lirainosaurus mean? | Lirainosaurus means “slender lizard”; from the Basque lirain, meaning “slender”, and the Greek sauros, meaning “lizard”. |
| Dinosaur type | Sauropod |
| On the menu | Herbivore |
| Length | Estimated to be eight to ten meters long (24-32 feet). |
| Height | Not much information has been stated on how tall the Lirainosaurus was. |
| Weight | 20 tons (18143.7 kg) |
| Life expectancy | Due to a lack of adequate data, paleontologists have not been able to figure out the exact life expectancy of the Lirainosaurus. |
| Legs used to get around | There are still not enough studies as of the moment to conclude how many legs did the Lirainosaurus use to get around. |
| Estimated top speed | Since feet of this Titanosaurid were unusually skinnier based on bone specimens found by paleontologists, it can be assumed that this Titanosaurid was quite lighter in weight than other Sauropods of its type. Therefore, this Titanosaur genus must have been quite fast as it was not hindered by its weight. |
| When they lived | The Lirainosaurus lived during the Campanian Age in the Upper Cretaceous Period about 71 million years ago. |
| Where they have been found? | Specimens have been found at Bellevue. |
When & Where
Due to the insufficient data found, the only information available is that the specimens of the Lirainosaurus have been found in the North-Pyrenean Site of Bellevue, which is located at the base of the Marnes de la Maurine member of the Marnes Rouges Inferieures Formation. The remains were then studied and were found to have flourished from the Late Campanian to the Early Maastrichtian. Other fossils found in the formation include other titanosaur sauropods such as the Ampelosaurus, the rhabdodontid Rhabdodon, the Ankylosaur, and the Dromaerosauridae.
Size & Weight
Based on fossil evidence of the Lirainosaurus, paleontologists have estimated that the length of these Titanosaurs did not measure more than 32.8 ft (10 m) in length. Thus, the Lirainosaurus was even bigger than the Duriavenator, which was around 27 ft (8.2 m) in length.
Mobility & Diet
Just like other Sauropods, the Lirainosaurus was an herbivore and mainly fed off on conifers, which were well-known plants. It also includes plant materials such as the Gingkos, cycads, ferns, and club molasses.
Interesting Points
- The Lirainosaurus existed from Campanian Age to 66 million years ago.
- This genus lived in a terrestrial habitat.
- Was a herbivore.
- Just like other dinosaurs, they reproduced by laying eggs.
- 9 different specimens have been found by paleontologists.