Pantydrcao (Pantydraco caducus) was a dinosaur of the Late Triassic to the early Jurassic period, which became extinct about 200 million years ago. Its fossil remains were excavated from the Bonvilston quarry in South Wales, United Kingdom. These remains suggest that these creatures were quite big in size, almost the size of a grown human being. It is thought to be a basal sauropodomorph dinosaur. Peter Galton, Yates, and D. Kermack grouped these dinosaurs under the genus of Pantydraco.
Several paleontologists have highlighted that these creatures were omnivores and preyed on small insects and other dinosaur species. Their well-developed teeth, robust body, and strong limbs helped them to capture their prey easily. Researchers also claimed about their agility and flexibility. However we don't exactly know how they used to defend themselves or how strong their teeth were. These dinosaurs were bipedal creatures with three to four digits and had sharp claws with which they grasped their prey quite easily. Their forelimbs were shorter than their hindlimbs, and they locomoted with the help of their hindlimbs only.
Keep reading to learn more fun facts about Pantydraco.
Pantydraco is pronounced as 'Pan-tee-dray-co'.
Pantydraco was a basal sauropodomorph dinosaur.
The geological timeframe attributed to the Pantydraco dinosaurs is the Late Triassic group to the Jurassic Period.
Pantydraco dinosaurs became extinct about 200 million years ago.
The fossil of Pantydraco dinosaur was excavated from the Bonvilston quarry in South Wales, United Kingdom.
These dinosaur species may have roamed in the grasslands and plains, where they foraged on a variety of plants and preyed on other animals.
We may assume that these dinosaurs have either lived solitarily or roamed in small herds.
Due to a lack of information, we do not know the exact lifespan of Pantydraco species.
Just like other dinosaurs, Pantydraco also reproduced by laying eggs. They may have been quite territorial and protected their eggs. Their eggs were amniotic in nature.
Pantydraco species were moderately big dinosaurs, with an average height of 10 ft (3 m). They had long tapering tails with broad pelvic bones. Their head was like that of a dragon along with a broad muscular jaw. They had well-developed forelimbs with sharp claws which helped them to grasp their prey. The forelimbs were shorter than the hindlimbs.
*We've been unable to source an image of Pantydraco and have used an image of T-Rex instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Pantydraco, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected]
While we do not have a record of the total number of bones in these dinosaurs of the early Jurassic period, the partial skeleton is retrieved, which included skull bones, pelvic bone, bones of the partial forelimbs, and other articulated fossils.
These new species of the Early Jurassic period may have produced low grunts and sounds similar to other dinosaur species of that epoch.
Pantydraco was a huge dinosaur and one of the rare species. The adult fossils that were excavated reveal that their average height was 10 ft (3 m). The juvenile fossil measured about 27 in (68.5 cm). They were bigger than Dineobellator.
This dinosaur belonging to the Jurassic branches was a bipedal creature. Thus, Pantydraco used to locomote with the help of its hind limbs. So we may assume that they were moderately fast runners.
According to several pieces of research conducted by esteemed paleontologists, the average weight of the Pantydraco dinosaur was about 110 lb (49.8 kg).
No specific names are given to the male and female dinosaurs.
A baby Pantydraco can be called a hatchling or a nestling due to the fact that dinosaurs were egg-laying creatures.
While not much information is available about their nature, we do know that they were predatory and preyed on other dinosaurs and animals. Plus, their robust build makes us definitely wonder about their aggressiveness.
Pantydraco dinosaur species were first considered to be under the Thecodontosaurus caducus group of the Jurassic periods, but after much speculation, researchers concluded that Pantydraco was a totally new species.
The name 'Pantydraco' is derived from the name of a small village named Pantyffynnon, located in South Wales in the United Kingdom, from where the remains of this dinosaur were excavated.
Get inspiration for education!
Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more
By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadl’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl.