FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Lourinhasaurus (Lourinhasaurus alenquerensis) was a dinosaur of the Late Jurassic Period that became extinct about 145 million years ago. Their fossil evidence was collected from Estremadura in Portugal. An incomplete skeleton was excavated.
These dinos were quite bulky and had a long neck and a long tail. They had pillar-like limbs and were quadrupeds. Previously they were thought to be similar to the Apatosaurus species. Later on, they were grouped under the Sauropoda and Saurischia clades. These dinos were herbivorous in nature and had strong jaws with powerful teeth to completely crush and grind the leaves.
Please keep reading to know more interesting facts about these dinosaur species and their natural history.
Lourinhasaurus genus is pronounced as 'Lore-in-ha-sore-us'.
Lourinhasaurus alenquerensis of Portugal was a sauropod, which was also grouped under the Dinosauria, Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Eusauropoda, Macronaria, and Camarasauridae clades.
This dinosaur species existed during the Late Jurassic Period.
It became extinct about 145 million years ago.
Lourinhasaurus fossils were excavated from Estremadura in Portugal.
These dinosaurs inhabited the forests, grasslands, and regions with dense vegetation, where they foraged on various kinds of plants.
We do not know if this particular species of Portugal lived alone or roamed in small groups. However, sauropods moved in small groups and foraged together.
Although no data is available regarding the life expectancy of these dinosaurs, sauropods lived for about 70-80 years, while some of the bigger sauropods lived for about 300 years.
They reproduced by laying eggs. Their eggs were amniotic in nature. Sauropod hatchlings were no bigger than an adult goose. However, their growth was at an exceptionally fast rate. The hatchlings did not need any parental care after their birth and thrived on their own. Many of these animal species of Portugal engaged in neck-slapping duels with their rival suitors at the time of mating.
These dinos had huge bodies with long necks. They were quadrupeds with broad hind feet. Their front feet were similar to those of the elephants. The evidence from the fossils tells us about their small skull size and long tails. Previously they were thought to be similar to the Apatosaurus species.
Due to a lack of fossil specimen evidence, we do not have information on the total number of bones these dinosaurs had. Only a partial skeleton was recovered from Western Europe. The phylogenetic reassessment reveals to us that their morphology was similar to most other sauropod dinosaurs.
Just like other Sauropod dinosaurs, the Lourinhasaurus used its visual as well as vocal skills to communicate with each other. Study material on these species also tells us that they produced low grunts and other similar sounds.
The Lourinhasaurus was a bulky dinosaur with an average length of 56 ft (17 m) and a height of 20 ft (6 m). They were way bigger than the Magyrosaurus, which was a dwarf sauropod of the Cretaceous Period. Magyrosaurus was thought to have suffered from insular dwarfism.
Owing to their bulky body and thick legs, they were not fast runners. However, evidence on the remains of the Lourinhasaurus genera highlights that they were able to trot with an average speed of 4.4 mph (7.08 kph).
The fossil evidence of this species was not enough to reveal their weight. However, most of the dinosaurs belonging to the Sauropod clade had an average weight of 132277-176370 lb (59999.83-80000 kg).
There are no specific names given to the male and female dinosaur species of the Lourinhasaurus genera.
A baby Lourinhasaurus may be called a hatchling or a nestling due to the fact that they laid eggs, just like other sauropods.
As these dinos of Portugal were plant-eaters, it is safe to assume that they were not aggressive in nature. However, their huge body, along with a large neck, was quite intimidating for other animals of that age.
From several pieces of evidence on the phylogenetic research, the sauropods had large appetites. To keep up with their constant foraging on plants, they had their tooth replaced every 14 days. Thus, we can consider these dinos extremely greedy.
The partial skeleton of this dinosaur of the Lourinhasaurus genus was excavated from a nearby village of Alenquer in the year 1949. From there, the name 'alenquerensis' was derived. In 1957, the name Apatosaurus alenquerensis was given by Albert-Félix de Lapparent and Georges Zbyszewski . Again John Stanton McIntosh gave the name of this species, Camarasaurus alenquerensis, in the year 1990. Much later in 1998, the name of the genus, Lourinhasaurus, was given by Pedro Dantas.
*We've been unable to source an image of a Lourinhasaurus and have used an image of Stegosaurus instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a Lourinhasaurus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected].
*We've been unable to source an image of a Lourinhasaurus and have used an image of T-Rex instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a Lourinhasaurus, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected].
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At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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