Titanosaurus is a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs from the titanosaurid family of the sauropod suborder that lived in the late Cretaceous period (about 70 million years ago) in what is now Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. In length reached up to 40 meters. Was close to Saltasaurus.
In 1871. Near the city of Jabalpur in India, a massive femur 1.17 m long was found. Scientists have determined that this is the remains of a dinosaur, but it did not fit any lizard known at that time. Then several tail vertebrae were found there, and it became clear that an ancient giant completely new to science was discovered.
In 1877. English geologist Richard Lydekker (1849-1915) named the new species the Indian titanosaur. Somewhat later, similar bones were found in the Southern Hemisphere. It was the first large reptile found in the region. The discovery made a sensation, science did not know larger reptiles then. Hence the comparison with the titans the mighty giants of Greek mythology.
The titanosaurus resembled a diplodocus: a long neck and a strongly tapering tail. Only the skin was covered with small bone plates (osteoderms), which was not at all characteristic of diplodocides.
Probably, titanosaurs grazed in herds, consisting of both adults and young animals.
Titanosaurs are representatives of the sauropod infraorder dinosaurs that existed about 171-65.5 million years ago in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods on all continents of the Earth, with the exception of Antarctica. The bones of this type of dinosaur (spine) were first officially discovered at the end of the 19th century, the remains were attributed to herbivorous sauropods and forgotten for a while.
Titanosaurs were herbivorous dinosaurs. They had long necks and tails and walked on four legs. These dinosaurs weighed from 88 to 110 tons, reaching a length of up to forty meters. Titanosaurs looked like diplodocus. Unlike the latter, they had a bone shell, consisting of the strongest plates scattered along the back.
The most widespread member of the family, the titanosaurus itself, was first found in 1877 in India. Paleontologists have discovered several tail vertebrae and a broken femur. The name of this family of dinosaurs in the same year was given by the scientist Richard Lydecker. Since then, fourteen species living in Argentina, Europe, Madagascar, Laos, have been recognized as relatives of titanosaurs.
Titanosaurs are representatives of the sauropod infraorder dinosaurs that existed about 171-65.5 million years ago in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods on all continents of the Earth, with the exception of Antarctica. The bones of this type of dinosaur (spine) were first officially discovered at the end of the 19th century, the remains were attributed to herbivorous sauropods and forgotten for a while.
Titanosaurs were herbivorous dinosaurs. They had long necks and tails and walked on four legs. These dinosaurs weighed from 88 to 110 tons, reaching a length of up to forty meters. Titanosaurs looked like diplodocus. Unlike the latter, they had a bone shell, consisting of the strongest plates scattered along the back.
The most widespread member of the family, the titanosaurus itself, was first found in 1877 in India. Paleontologists have discovered several tail vertebrae and a broken femur. The name of this family of dinosaurs in the same year was given by the scientist Richard Lydecker. Since then, fourteen species living in Argentina, Europe, Madagascar, Laos, have been recognized as relatives of titanosaurs.
In 1999, the remains of a sauropod, presumably a titanosaur, were discovered in Patagonia: a 1.8 meter long femur and two vertebrae, each 1.2 meters high.
In 2004, near the city of Eromanga in Australia, scientists dug up the bones of dinosaurs and attributed them to titanosaurs. These were the largest dinosaurs ever found in Australia, they could reach a length of up to 30 meters.
The earliest representatives of titanosaurs are Megaloolithus, who lived 171-164 million years ago.
In 1999, the remains of a sauropod, presumably a titanosaur, were discovered in Patagonia: a 1.8 meter long femur and two vertebrae, each 1.2 meters high. In 2004, near the city of Eromanga in Australia, scientists dug up the bones of dinosaurs and attributed them to titanosaurs. These were the largest dinosaurs ever found in Australia, they could reach a length of up to 30 meters.
The earliest representatives of titanosaurs are Megaloolithus, who lived 171-164 million years ago.
Vegetarian titanosaur fed on plants typical of the late Cretaceous. Modern grass, t. e. cereal grasses, then there were no. In the lower tree layer, flowering shrubs such as magnolias and viburnum were crowded by ancient horsetails and ferns. Oaks, maples, walnuts, beeches rose above them, along with conifers, as well as ginkgo and cycads starting to lose ground.
Most likely, the titanosaurus, like other sauropods, deliberately swallowed stones (gastroliths) rubbed hard food in the muscular stomach to make it easier to digest.
Titanosaurs have always been surrounded by predators. Vegetarians were saved by the dimensions: the blows of a ten-meter tail or elephant legs are enough to keep enemies at a distance. Meat-eaters got only babies, old people, sick animals.
