Fun Kotasaurus Facts For Kids

Dinosaurs were considered to be the most dominant animals during the Jurassic era. There were numerous species of these reptiles and they were roaming all around the earth,7 so India was no exception.

Remains of multiple species of dinosaurs have been found in India, and Kotasaurus is one of them. The remains of this dinosaur were found near Yamanpalli, a village in Telangana, India. Further studies on the skeletal parts revealed that they were sauropods and had a length of almost 29.5 ft (9 m) and weighed a whopping 5511.6 lb (2500 kg). Since they were sauropods they were herbivores and their diet mostly included various trees and plants.

The skeletal parts of this Jurassic lizard were described and named by P.M Yadagiri in the year 1988 as Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis which means Kota formation lizard and Yamanpalliensis is a reference to the village near which the skeletal parts were found. There was minimal confusion on the classification of this animal, Paleontologists had no clearance if it was a sauropod or a sauropodomorph but eventually, Kotasaurus was classified to be a part of the basal sauropod family. Today, this dinosaur is one of the few only known basal sauropods.

Kotasaurus Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce 'Kotasaurus'?

The remains of this dinosaur were found near a village of Telangana and named Kotasaurus by P.M Yadagiri. The pronunciation of the word Kotasaurus is 'Koe-tah-sore-us'.

What type of dinosaur was a Kotasaurus?

Based on the studies of the fossils of this species they were huge terrestrial animals. There was a doubt if this dinosaur was a sauropod or a sauropodomorph but Kotasaurus has been ultimately classified as a very basal sauropod dinosaur of the early Jurassic period.

In which geological period did the roam the Kotasaurus earth?

Based on various studies on the remains or Fossils this sauropod dinosaur has been found to roam the earth during the early Jurassic period which is around 199-183 million years ago. Sauropod Kotasaurus were herbivore dinosaurs so they used to live with other herbivore dinosaurs like Barapasaurus of the Early Jurassic period.

When did the Kotasaurus become extinct?

This sauropod Kotasaurus is known to roam the earth until the end of the early Jurassic period and the start of the middle Jurassic period which is almost around 174 million years ago.

Where did a Kotasaurus live?

The fossils or remains of this species were found in the Kota formation in the Yamanpalli village of Telangana, India. Later based on studies of the fossils it was found that this species of sauropod dinosaur used to live in Telangana, India sharing the space with Barapasaurus.

What was a Kotasaurus's habitat?

These sauropods existed during the early Jurassic period, and that was millions of years ago so it is pretty difficult to know the various habitats that existed during that early period. Due to this reason stating a specific habitat is difficult but studies on fossils have shown that they were herbivore dinosaurs so it is most likely that they lived in forest areas or in areas with lush vegetation.

Who did a Kotasaurus live with?

Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis are sauropods, and a sauropod dinosaur is considered to be a social animal. Remains of Barapasaurus were found close to that of this species. So it is estimated that this genus of dinosaurs used to live with Barapasaurus and various other similar herbivore dinosaurs.

How long did a kotasaurus live?

There is no available data relating to the exact life span of this dinosaur named kotasaurus yamanpalliensis.

How did they reproduce?

Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis is a sauropod dinosaur and the reproduction was oviparous in nature so they reproduced by laying eggs.

What did a Kotasaurus look like?

Kotasaurus was a sauropod and so the body structure was very identical to that of all other sauropods. This genus had a very big body with four thick legs they also had a long tail, and a long neck. The skull remains of this genus were missing but are estimated to have a small head like all other sauropods. Only two teeth were found and it is told to be spoon-shaped, also similar to sauropods.

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

How many bones did a Kotasaurus have?

The most skeletal structure has been found but it is still not complete so data related to the exact number of bones is not available. They were huge with long necks and tails so it is estimated that this genus has numerous bones.

How did they communicate?

The exact communication methods of this sauropod dinosaur named Kotasaurus are not known but based on historical research and studies it is found that dinosaurs on the whole used symbolic calls, visual communication, hoots, hollers, and various cracking sounds to communicate.

How big was a Kotasaurus?

This genus was a sauropod dinosaur so the Kotasaurus size was huge. The estimated length of this sauropod is estimated to be 29.5 ft (9 m) and information about its height is not available.

How fast could a Kotasaurus move?

Since Kotasaurus was a sauropod they were huge with a good length and immense weight, so they were not that fast in moving. They would move slowly in packs for a number of days to reach places.

How much did a Kotasaurus weigh?

Since this animal is considered to be a sauropod, they were gigantic in size. Kotasaurus weight is estimated to be around 5511.6 lbs (2500 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

No particular name has been assigned to males and females of the species.

What would you call a baby Kotasaurus?

No particular name has been assigned for a baby Spinosuchus.

What did they eat?

The exact diet food of this huge lizard is unknown but Kotasaurus was a herbivore so the diet of this animal should have included various types of trees and plants.

How aggressive were they?

No records have been found stating the behavioral pattern of this gigantic lizard, so the level of aggression is not known.

Did You Know...

Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis is the only species under the genus Kotasaurus.

The remains of almost 12 individuals have been dug out till today.

Most of the skeletons have been found of all individuals but no skull was ever found except two teeth.

All the fossils were found near Yamanpalli, a village in Telangana, India.

840 skeleton parts have been of this dinosaur in the state of Telangana, India.

This new species was both described in detail and named by P.M Yadagiri in 1988.

The generic name Kotasaurus means Kota dinosaur or the Kota formation lizard thereby referring to the Kota formation.

The specific name Yamanpalliensis refers to the village Yamanpalli in India near which all the remains were found.

A skeletal mount made of several skeletal parts of this dinosaur is on display at the Birla Science Museum in Hyderabad, India.

What does Kotasaurus mean?

Kota name meaning is Kota formation which was a geological formation of India and the word Saurus means lizard, so the full meaning of the name Kotasaurus is Kota formation lizard.

With whom did Kotasaurus share their habitat?

Kotasaurus was a herbivorous animal so they used to live with other herbivorous dinosaurs of the same Jurassic period. Remains of Barapasaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur of the same era were found within a few kilometers so it is estimated that they shared their habitat with this dinosaur.

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