Fun Saltriosaurus Facts For Kids

A genus of the theropod dinosaur, the Saltriovenator, commonly known as Saltrisaurus belonged to the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic Period that spanned from 199.3-190.8 million years ago. Saltriovenator zanellai is the only species that belongs to the genus. The dinosaur is regarded as one of the largest and bipedal dinosaurs which resembled the Ceratosaurus. A famous paleontologist of Italy, Das Sasso considered the dinosaur the earliest tetanuran theropod of Europe.

The average weight and length of the dinosaur are said to be around 1100 lb (500 kg) and 26 ft (8 m) respectively while the height would have been around 13 ft (4 m), the skull was 28 in (70 cm) long while only a single tooth was discovered which was around 2.8 in (7 cm) long. Since the femur was about 2.62-2.85 ft (80-87 cm) long, it was said that the weight of the dinosaur was around 1.27-1.72 short tons (1160-1564 kg).

The fragmentary skeleton of the dinosaur was found in the Saltrio Formation, northern Italy. Only about 10% of the skeleton was found which included a lower jaw, teeth, a right splenial, incomplete dorsal ribs, partial furcula, and many more. The Saltriosaurus skeleton was washed out to the sea and it is said that the dinosaur likely died on the shores of an ancient beach. Also, it may have lived in coastal areas, plains, and forests.

Let's read more fun facts about the Saltriosaurus, and if you find this article interesting, don't forget to check out exciting facts about different dinosaurs like Austroraptor and Sauropelta.

How do you pronounce 'Saltriosaurus'?

Unlike other dinosaurs, the name of the theropod species is not that tough to pronounce but one should always know the trick of dividing the word into several syllables like 'saul-trio-saur-us.' This trick generally makes the word quite easy to pronounce. The species is also known by numerous names such as the Saltrioventor, Slatrio hunter, and Saltrio lizard.

What type of dinosaur was a Saltriosaurus?

The species Saltrioventor zanellai belonged to the class of Reptilia, the clade of Theropoda, and the genus of Saltrioventor. The dinosaur was a quite large bipedal creature that resembled the Ceratosaurus. The dinosaur is known for its sharp teeth and may have preyed on mammals and invertebrates during the Early Jurassic period.

In which geological period did Saltriosaurus roam the Earth?

The Saltrio lizard belonged to the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic period that spanned from 199.3-190.8 million years ago while the Early Jurassic period spanned from 201-174 million years ago.

When did the Saltriosaurus become extinct?

The dinosaur may have become extinct somewhere between 199.3-197.5 million years ago. The major cause of extinction is not known as of now, but in general, factors such as climate change, asteroid impact, and several other natural disasters are majorly responsible. Some species have become extinct due to drought as well.

Where did Saltriosaurus live?

The remains of the dinosaur were found from the Saltrio Formation, northern Italy while they are kept in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano Museum of Milan, Italy. Also, the remains were collected when some paleontologists were searching for extinct marine mollusks in the Salvano marble quarry. It is also said that these dinosaurs may have lived in different parts of Europe.

What was the Saltriosaurus' habitat?

The skeleton was washed out to the sea and it is said that the dinosaur likely died on the shores of an ancient beach. Also, it may have lived in coastal areas, plains, and forests.

Who did Saltriosaurus live with?

By looking at the trackways of these theropods, it can be said that these dinosaurs were solitary and used to hunt alone. However, male and female dinosaurs must have been found in a pair during the breeding season.

How long did a Saltriosaurus live?

No precise information regarding the life span of the dinosaur is known as of now but since the dinosaur was quite large, it may have lived quite long. Also, at the age of 24, the species must have reached its full size.

How did they reproduce?

There is no precise information regarding the reproduction patterns of the Saltrio lizard, but it is said they used similar patterns and reproduced by laying eggs. Also, their mating patterns were quite similar to modern-day reptiles and birds. Male dinosaurs also used to fight over females. The size of these dinosaurs used to increase gradually and it is possible that the increase in size was required for reproductive maturity.

What did Saltriosaurus look like?

The large Saltrio lizard was one of the dangerous creatures of the Early Jurassic period, it is also proven that the dinosaur is probably the largest living theropod of the Aalenian stage. The dinosaur had three digits on its hands while a similar dinosaur, Allosauroid had four. The sharp teeth of the dinosaur suggest that it was a carnivore and probably preyed on small mammals and marine invertebrates such as snails, sea slugs, crinoids, and many more. The dinosaur possessed strong legs which indicate that it must have been an exceptional swimmer.

How many bones did a Saltriosaurus have?

The information regarding the exact number is uncertain at the moment but a fragmentary skeleton of the dinosaur was found in the Saltrio Formation. which included a lower jaw, teeth, a right splenial, incomplete dorsal ribs, partial furcula, and many more. The Saltriosaurus skeleton was washed out to the sea and it is said that the dinosaur likely died on the shores of an ancient beach.

How did they communicate?

These dinosaurs used similar methods as modern-day animals. Tactile, visual, and auditory cues were used to communicate with fellow dinosaurs. Also, they used to attract their partners during the breeding season probably through courtship displays.

How big was the Saltriosaurus?

The average weight and length of the dinosaur are said to be around 1.27-1.72 short tons (1160-1564 kg) and 26 ft (8 m) respectively while the height would have been around 13 ft (4 m), the skull was 28 in (70 cm) long while only a single tooth was discovered which was around 2.8 in (7 cm) long. The dinosaur was like a hundred times heavier than Eocursor and Microraptor.

How fast could a Saltriosaurus move?

No information regarding the speed of the dinosaur has been collected as of now but the long and strong legs must have helped in accelerating the speed quickly while catching the prey.

How much did a Saltriosaurus weigh?

Formerly, it was said that the average weight of the dinosaur was around 1100 lb (500 kg) but since the femur was about 2.62-2.85 ft (80-87 cm) long, it was said that the weight of the dinosaur was around 1.27-1.72 short tons (1160-1564 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

No specific names are given to the male and female dinosaurs; people generally call them Saltriovenator zanellai.

What would you call a baby Saltriosaurus?

Like modern-day reptiles, the babies of these dinosaurs are called hatchlings.

What did they eat?

These dinosaurs were carnivores and generally preyed on small mammals and marine invertebrates. The teeth must have helped in biting its prey quite easily.

How aggressive were they?

They must have shown their dominance while defending their territories.

Did you know...

It is also said that modern birds have evolved from the Theropoda dinosaurs as traits such as brooding of eggs were also present in these dinosaurs.

Why are they called Saltriosaurus?

Since the fossil was found in Saltrio Formation, the dinosaur came to be known as Saltriosaurus. The name was given by Dal Sasso.

Who discovered Saltriosaurus?

Angelo Zanella is known for discovering the fossils of the dinosaur.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other creatures from our Kryptops facts and Chromogisaurus facts for kids.

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

Second image by James St. John.

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