The Kritosaurus was a large, long-necked sauropod that lived during the Upper Cretaceous period, approximately 75-65 million years ago. It was a herbivore that likely fed on low-lying plants using its long neck and sharp, curved teeth. Kritosaurus was named after the Greek word “kritos,” meaning “separated,” in reference to the distinctive separation between the front and back of its skull.
Key facts
| Domain | Description |
|---|---|
| Kritosaurus pronunciation | KRIT-oh-SAWR-us |
| What does Kritosaurus mean? | Separated Lizard |
| Dinosaur type | Sauropod |
| On the menu | Herbivorous |
| Length | 30-33 ft (9-10 m) |
| Height | 13-16 ft (4-5 m) |
| Weight | About 3,500 lbs (1500 kg) |
| Life expectancy | Unknown |
| Legs used to get around | Quadrupedal |
| Estimated top speed | 5 mph (4.5 km/h) |
| When they lived | Upper Cretaceous period, approximately 75-65 million years ago |
| Where they have been found? | North America |
When & Where
The first fossils of the Kritosaurus were discovered in North America in the late 19th century. The fossils were found in the Kirtland Formation in New Mexico, and they were initially identified as belonging to the Hadrosaurus.
However, further study of the fossils revealed that they actually belonged to a new species of sauropod, which was named Kritosaurus by paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope in 1872.
Size & Weight
It is thought that Kritosaurus was a medium-sized sauropod, with an estimated length of up to 30-33 ft and a weight of up to 1.5-2 tons. Its height is not well-known, but it may have been up to 13-16 ft tall at the shoulder.
Like other sauropods, the Kritosaurus had a long neck, a long tail, and a small head. Its forelimbs much were shorter than its hind limbs, giving it a unique posture.
Mobility & Diet
The Kritosaurus was a herbivore. Sauropods like Kritosaurus had long necks and sharp, curved teeth that were well-suited to feeding on low-lying plants. It is thought that Kritosaurus may have used its long neck to reach down to the ground and graze on plants, using its sharp teeth to bite off and chew rough vegetation.
As for its movement, Kritosaurus was a quadruped, which means that it walked on four legs. Its top speed is unknown, but it probably moved slowly due to its heavy weight.
Interesting Points
- It was one of the first sauropods to be discovered in North America, and its fossils have provided important insights into the evolution and diversity of sauropods.
- It was named after the Greek word “kritos,” meaning “separated,” in reference to the distinctive separation between the front and back of its skull.
- Despite its discovery over a century ago, much about this dinosaur remains a mystery, and further research is needed to learn more about its behavior and ecology.
Featured Image Credit: Nobu Tamura, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
