Fun Coloradisaurus Facts For Kids
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The Coloradisaurus was a large dinosaur from the Los Colorados Formation of the La Rioja province of Argentina, South America. This Triassic period dinosaur was considered primitive judging by the fossils recovered from the Los Colorados Formation. They are of the genus Coloradisaurus was originally named Coloradia.
This dinosaur was from the Late Triassic period, between the Norian and Rhaetian phases. From the history of these dinosaurs and fossils of these animals, it is assumed that these species were nomadic and not terrestrial. However, these facts are not supported by strong evidence. Only one complete skull specimen of the dinosaur has been discovered.
Jose Bonaparte previously named this genus species Coloradia but it was later renamed Coloradisaurus. The diet of this dinosaur ranged from plants to small insects. There were also some other dinosaurs discovered from the range of Los Colorados, such as Riojasaurus, Lessemsaurus, and Zupaysaurus.
If you really enjoy reading about the dinosaurs from the Los Colorados Formation, then do read some interesting and surprising facts about other dinosaurs, such as Bicentenaria and Halticosaurus.
Coloradisaurus Interesting Facts
How do you pronounce 'Coloradisaurus'?
The pronunciation of the word Coloradisaurus is 'Col-o-rah-de-dore-us'.
What type of dinosaur was the Coloradisaurus?
The Coloradisaurus was originally named Coloradia, referring to the Colorados lizard. It was named by Dr. Jose Fernando Bonaparte in 1978, but the name Coloradia was already given to a moth, so this dinosaur has to be renamed.
Later, the name Coloradia was changed to Coloradisaurus by David Lambert in 1983. The type species of the Coloradisaurus genus is Coloradisaurus brevis, which was also known as the Colorados lizard. These Colorados lizards clade within Dinosauria, Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Plateosauria, and Massopoda and belong to the family Massospondylidae.
In which geological period did the Coloradisaurus roam the earth?
These Coloradisaurus brevis dinosaurs roamed the earth from the Norian to the Rhaetian of the Late Triassic geological period.
When did the Coloradisaurus become extinct?
These Coloradisaurus brevis dinosaurs became extinct after the Late Triassic period, about 206 million years ago.
Where did the Coloradisaurus live?
The Coloradisaurus dinosaur, also known as the Colorados lizard, lived in the Los Colorados Formation, La Rioja Province, Argentina.
What was the Coloradisaurus's habitat?
The Coloradisaurus brevis was discovered in the Los Colorados Formation, La Rioja Province, Argentina. The Los Colorados Formation habitat is sedimentary rock mountains with low-lying vegetation.
Many sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, and clastic sedimentary rocks can be found there. So, from this, you can get an idea that this species was nomadic, not terrestrial, and dwelled in a range of low-lying vegetation to high trees and vegetation. These dinosaurs were familiar with living in dry climatic conditions.
Who did the Coloradisaurus live with?
If they lived in a group, it would consist of adults and juveniles to protect them from their predators. Some studies have been conducted and from their history, it is assumed that the Late Triassic period dinosaur was nomadic and not terrestrial, though strong evidence is lacking in this regard.
How long did a Coloradisaurus live?
The Coloradisaurus dinosaurs lived during the Norian to Rhaetian period of the Triassic period. They lived from 230-206 million years ago.
How did they reproduce?
There is no exact and specific information available regarding how to reproduce it. However, on some general assumptions, it can be concluded that they reproduced by mating, and the female laid eggs in clutches of varying sizes.
Coloradisaurus Fun Facts
What did the Coloradisaurus look like?
The Coloradisaurus were large Sauropodomorpha dinosaurs, unlike other large sauropods like Supersaurus. These Norian age dinosaurs had a long neck and tail with a length of 13 ft (4 m) from snout to tail.
The dinosaur was classified as quadrupedal and walked on all four legs, but more prominently using the hind limbs. Complete specimens of these dinosaurs have not been recovered and only an adult skull fossil has been discovered.
How many bones did a Coloradisaurus have?
Only the complete skull fossil was discovered, and an exact number of bones is unknown. The Coloradisaurus skeleton fossil has not yet been recovered.
How did they communicate?
The communication of these dinosaurs from the Los Colorados Formation is not known. However, most adult dinosaurs used to communicate using chemical smell, vocals, and tactile cues.
How big was a Coloradisaurus?
According to the holotypes of the Coloradisaurus dinosaur, its size has been estimated at around 10 ft (3 m) long.
How fast could a Coloradisaurus move?
The exact speed of the Coloradisaurus dinosaur is not estimated and is unknown.
How much did a Coloradisaurus weigh?
The Coloradisaurus dinosaur from the Los Colorados Formation of La Rioja, Argentina, weighed around 154 lb (70 kg).
What were the male and female names of the species?
The male and female of the Los Colorados Formation species do not have any specific names and are called or known by their common sex names.
What would you call a baby Coloradisaurus?
The babies of Coloradisaurus are called hatchlings or juveniles.
What did they eat?
These Coloradisaurus brevis dinosaurs of the Late Triassic are often categorized as herbivores and omnivore dinosaurs. However, there is still not much clear information available and they are hence categorized as omnivorous dinosaurs. The Coloradisaurus diet includes plants, small insects, and small animals. The type of teeth reveals that this dinosaur of Argentina had a herbivorous diet.
How aggressive were they?
According to Jose Bonaparte, there is not much information available regarding these animal creatures, and whether they are aggressive or not.
Did you know...
The fossil of this dinosaur, originally named Coloradia, later changed to Coloradisaurus, is slender and gracile in comparison to the fossils specimen of other dinosaurs. Only one complete skull specimen of the dinosaur has been discovered. There is a debate about whether Coloradisaurus and Mussaurus are from the same species or not.
Adam Yates, Fernando E Novas, Jose Bonaparte, and David Lambert played significant roles in discovering the Dinosauria-type species.
Some of the plants that were around during the same time as dinosaurs were ferns, gymnosperm, ginkgoes, and cycads, and some animals were Zupaysaurus, Lessemsaurus, and Riojasuchus.
What does Coloradisaurus mean?
Coloradisaurus was named by David Lambert and named after the Los Colorados Formation of La Rioja, Argentina.
Was Coloradisaurus a prosauropod?
Yes, Coloradisaurus was a prosauropod and was classified among the Plateosauridae. These Colorados lizards clade within Dinosauria, Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Plateosauria, and Massopoda and belong to the family Massospondylidae.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other animal creatures from our Campylognathoides facts and Jaxartosaurus fun facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Coloradisaurus coloring pages.
Main image by FunkMonk.
Second image by Leandra Walters, Phil Senter, James H. Robins.
*We've been unable to source an image of Coloradisaurus and have used an image of Plateosaurus engelhardti instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Coloradisaurus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.
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