Fun Demandasaurus Facts For Kids

The rebbachisaurid sauropod dinosaur Demandasaurus darwini is another addition to the long list of sauropods that roamed the Earth during the Early Cretaceous years. This dinosaur's name is with reference to Sierra de la Demanda,‭ ‬a mountain sub-range located in the Iberian Peninsula. Paleontologists faced many hurdles studying Demandasaurus as its fragmented and incomplete fossils didn't offer much insight. However, extensive research and comparison with other species from the same family allowed researchers to draw conclusions and consider it as a part of the sauropods. The remains found in Castrillo De La Reina were the only specimen of this species that supposedly roamed across Europe in the Early Cretaceous. Demandasaurus from the Early Cretaceous age offered much insight into sauropods and their phylogenetic analysis. Let's find out more about this dinosaur!

How do you pronounce 'Demandasaurus'?

Demandasaurus is pronounced as 'Dee-man-dah-sore-us'.

What type of dinosaur was a Demandasaurus?

Demandasaurus is a species of rebbachisaurid sauropod dinosaur family that existed in the Early Cretaceous period and have been discovered through only one specimen.

In which geological period did the Demandasaurus roam the Earth?

Cretaceous research found Demandasaurus fossils dating back from the late Barremian to early Aptian stage of Early Cretaceous age.

When did the Demandasaurus become Extinct?

Demandasaurus is thought to have gone Extinct during the same time as other sauropods.

Where did a Demandasaurus live?

Demandasaurus fossils were inhabited in Europe in the Early Cretaceous, and their fossils were found in places such as Castile and León present in Spain.

What was a Demandasaurus' habitat?

Like other sauropods, Demandasaurus inhabited terrestrial habitats composed of drylands, grasslands, wetlands, marshes, deserts, and caves.

Who did a Demandasaurus live with?

As found through the remains found in the Castrillo de la Reina Formation, Demandasaurus supposedly lived in groups along with other sauropod dinosaurs.

How long did a Demandasaurus live?

Belonging to the same superfamily, Diplodocus perhaps lived for 70-80 years, which is probably why its sister genus species Demandasaurus, must have had a similar life span.

How did they reproduce?

Demandasaurus was an oviparous reptile that laid eggs to reproduce offspring. The majority of dinosaurs are known to be oviparous and laid eggs.

What did a Demandasaurus look like?

Demandasaurus darwini, being a rebbachisaurid sauropod dinosaur, carried the most generic features of the genus, which includes a long neck, small head, and elongated tail. These are the only features comprehensible through the limited cranial and postcranial remains of the Early Cretaceous dinosaur skeleton excavated from the Castrillo de la Reina Formation in Burgos Province of Spain. Demandasaurus lived in a terrestrial habitat; therefore, its skin did not own a slimy texture. The species owned a similar scaly, dry and warm texture like other terrestrial dinosaur species. Demandasaurus, which means 'Demanda lizard', proves its appearance to be somewhere close to a lizard. It is not known if they had a tendency to bite or how strong their teeth were.

How many bones did a Demandasaurus have?

The Demandasaurus skeleton found through the Burgos province in Spain is comprised of only the partial cranial and postcranial remains of the genus.

How did they communicate?

Communication method and medium among Demandasaurs is still a mystery for researchers.

How big was a Demandasaurus?

The estimated size of Demandasaurus darwini was equal to the height of an average sauropod, as sauropods are known for being gigantically tall and big. Another sauropod called Apatosaurus was 15 ft (4.5 m) tall, whereas Demandasaurus' estimated height was 11.5 ft (3.5 m).

How fast could a Demandasaurus move?

The average speed of sauropods never surpassed 4.5 mph (7 kph), and Demandasaurus darwini is estimated to have the same moving speed.

How much did a Demandasaurus weigh?

Demandasaurus' estimated weight is 11023 lb (5000 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

Paleontologists did not find many fossils of Demandasaurus darwini; therefore, there are no specific names designated for the male or female of the species.

What would you call a baby Demandasaurus?

No specific names are created to refer to baby Demandasaurus, but paleontologists usually refer to remaining subadult fossils of any dinosaur as a juvenile.

What did they eat?

Demandasaurus was a herbivore species that survived by eating conifers, leaves, small plants, shrubs, and other greens.

How aggressive were they?

Sauropods are known for being gentle giants. Demandasaurus being a herbivore, was not aggressive. The species simply fed on greens and co-existed peacefully with sauropods and other dinosaur species.

Did You Know...

Demandasaurus darwini was first named by Fidel Torcida Fernández-Baldor, Diego Montero, Xabier Pereda Suberbiola, Leonardo Salgado, ‬José ignacio canudo and Pedro Huerta.

Demandasaurus darwini is considered to be related to these two genera: Nigersaurus and Rebbachisaurus.

The species name 'Darwini' is given to Demandasaurus in honor of the famous progenitor of modern evolutionary theory, Charles Darwin.

*We've been unable to source an image of Demandasaurus and have used an image of Vulcanodon instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Demandasaurus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected].