Fun Buriolestes Facts For Kids

Considered to be one of the oldest earth-dwelling dinosaurs, Buriolestes schultzi is a sauropodomorph dinosaur that inhabited the earth about 237 to 228 million years back. The species was attributed its name in the year 2016. ULBRA-PVT280 was the holotype specimen that was unearthed from the Buriol ravine located in São João do Polêsine of southern Brazil. The type specimen of Ixalerpeton, a lagerpetid dinosauromorph, was also discovered from the same site. In 2015, some additional remains could be collected that later helped to reconstruct the complete skeletal forms of the species. Only a small part of the tail vertebrae was absent in the CAPPA/UFSM 0035 specimen. Moreover, some more remains were extracted from the Buriol region but those pieces are still under speculation. In 2016, phylogenetic analyses confirmed the similarities of the dinosaur with sauropodomorphs. Although there are distinct differences, these dinosaurs exhibit certain traits of the early sauropodomorphs. In fact, it is firmly believed that the evolution of these dinosaurs has given form to the gigantic sauropods. If you want to gain a deeper insight into the species then you can look up some of the best writers who have contributed to this field. Authors like Sérgio Dias-da-Silva, Mario Bronzati, Rodrigo Temp Müller, Max Cardoso Langer, Sergio Furtado Cabreira, Rodrigo Carrilho, and others have published detailed information on the origin, evolution, anatomy of the species from the Late Triassic.

Don't forget to check out these facts about the Chromogisaurus and yunnanosaurus.

How do you pronounce 'Buriolestes'? 

If you want to pronounce the term perfectly then simply break it up into 'Bur-e-ol-es-teez'.

What type of dinosaur was a Buriolestes?

The species B. schultzi is the sole member of the Buriolestes genus which is composed of primitive sauropodomorph dinosaurs. Although the species is a member of Sauropodomorpha known for its herbivorous tendencies, the bone structure, that is, its slightly curved and serrated set of teeth and strong jaws is suited for a carnivorous diet like the theropod dinosaurs.

In which geological period did the Buriolestes roam the earth?

Fossil remains of Buriolestes schultzi show that the sauropodomorph belonged to the Late Triassic period. The anatomy of the species establishes its close relations with the sauropods.

When did the Buriolestes become Extinct?

Although science has helped to uncover innumerable facts about these early earth-dwellers, it comes with certain limitations. No one is certain about the exact time of extinction of Buriolestes schultzi.

Where did a Buriolestes live? 

The first holotype specimen was embedded among some of the oldest rocks of the Santa Maria Formation dating back to 232 million years ago, commonly called the Carnian age. Remains were gathered from the Paraná Basin, southern Brazil.

What was a Buriolestes' habitat? 

In general, a sauropodomorph thrived in a range of habitats including deserts, forests, swamps, dry uplands, and even seashores but the habitat range of the species cannot be mentioned particularly.

Who did a Buriolestes live with?

There's no factual evidence to prove whether these sauropodomorphs preferred to move in groups or were loners. However, the presence of some smaller bones in the excavation site of the Santa Maria Formation hints at the possibility of these dinosaurs being highly sociable. Nevertheless, it couldn't be ascertained whether those remains belong to another taxon or a sauropodomorph juvenile.

How long did a Buriolestes live?

Accurate details about the longevity of the dinosaur cannot be stated owing to the dearth of scientific data.

How did they reproduce?

Reproduction details like breeding and courtship behavior, gestation period, parental care, and other significant factors of these early inhabitants of the earth are unknown. However, since the Buriolestes schultzi is a dinosaur species, the females lay eggs post-copulation and incubate the eggs until they hatch. Immediately after hatching, the young start fighting for their survival.

What did a Buriolestes look like?

Excavation of the complete Buriolestes skeleton that preserved through the ravages of time included some portions of the skull, left hind and forelimbs, hip, an arm, shoulder, and the lower section of the vertebrate. The elongated deltopectoral crest and the downward-pointing jaw tip are characteristic of typical sauropodomorphs, but at the same time, the enlarged nostrils and small head are absent in the dinosaur.

How many bones did a Buriolestes have?

Although the excavation of the holotype specimen, ULBRA-PVT280 from Santa Maria Formation in Brazil was a preserved complete skeleton, the exact number of bones that composed the entire body of the species still remains to be unraveled. This is because only some parts like the skull, a large section of a shoulder, an arm, hips, left forelimb and hindlimb, and the lower portion of the vertebrae extending from mid-back to the tip of the tail was preserved intact in the fossil.

How did they communicate?

Detailed information about the communication process among the sauropodomorphs is lacking. However, it can be inferred that they interacted with each other by emitting horn-like high-pitched bellowing sounds like any other dinosaur.

How big was a Buriolestes? 

The holotype specimen of Buriolestes schultzi stood 19.7 in (0.5 m) tall, while it measured approximately 63-67 in (1.6-1.7 m) in length. These sauropodomorphs were almost minuscule in contrast to sauropods such as the Dreadnoughtus that grew up to about 85 ft (26 m) in length. Even the smallest sauropod, Magyarosaurus measured around 19.7 ft (6 m).

How fast could a Buriolestes move?

Since Buriolestes schultzi wasn't as bulky and large as the Tyrannosaurus rex, they could move with much ease, and hence, it can be assumed that these dinosaurs could attain good speeds on their hunting expeditions. However, no conclusive statements can be made due to the lack of concrete evidence.

How much did a Buriolestes weigh?

The average weight of Buriolestes schultzi is around 13.2 lb (6 kg). These sauropodomorphs are comparatively lightweight when compared with their sauropod relatives.

What were the male and female names of the species?

No sex-specific names have been rendered to the male and female dinosaurs.

What would you call a baby Buriolestes?

Baby dinosaurs, as a member of the Reptilia class, hatch from eggs, and therefore, they can be regarded as hatchlings.

What did they eat? 

Buriolestes schultzi portrayed some similarities with the predatory theropods in their diet although it belonged to an otherwise herbivorous group. The remains of jaws collected from the Santa Maria Formation pointed that the species indulged in a carnivorous diet, hunting and feeding on small vertebrates as well as invertebrates.

How aggressive were they?

Buriolestes indulged in a carnivorous diet that required preying on animals. It can thus be deduced that they were aggressive predators. However, this cannot be confirmed.

Did you know...

Did you know that the brain of the species weighs almost as much as a pea? For a dinosaur with a comparatively huge body, it's pretty minuscule.

What does the name 'Buriolestes' mean?

B. schultzi has derived its name from the great Buriol family while the prefix 'lestes' has its roots in the Greek language implying 'robber'. While the term 'schultzi' is named after Cesar Leandro Schultz, an eminent paleontologist.

What is interesting about the Buriolestes' brain?

Did you know that the brain structure of Buriolestes schultzi is quite similar to that of a crocodile? Rodrigo Müller lays out a detailed analysis of the brain in his 'Journal of Anatomy'. Remains of the skull from the Santa Maria Formation aided in reconstructing the entire brain which weighed around 0.05 oz (1.5 g). Surprisingly, with such a tiny brain, the species exhibited greater brainpower compared to its descendants.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Paronychodon fun facts, or Yunnanosaurus facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable stomping dinosaur coloring pages.

First image by Audrey.m.horn.