Fun Volgatitan Facts For Kids

The Volgatitan simbirskiensis is the only species under the genus Volgatitan. These dinosaurs are titanosaur sauropods from the northern hemisphere. These dinosaurs are considered crucial because they are related species endemic to the Late Cretaceous epoch of South America, known as Lognkosauria. These species were found in the ammonite zone and belonged to the Hauterivian age of the Early Cretaceous temporal range.

In 1982, Vladimir Efimov, a Soviet scientist, discovered large bones fossilized in pyrite nodules on the banks of the Volga River. After this, a couple of more bones were found in limestone. Their extraction took around seven years, and seven vertebrae fragments were discovered. During the first half of the '90s, Vladimir Efimov shared his findings with Lev Nessov, who later suggested that these were caudal vertebrae that belonged to a sauropod. After 30 years of its unearthing, the accurate classification of this dinosaur was completed in 2018, and Vladimir Efimov as well as Alexander Averianov described and named the species Volgatitan simbirskiensis.

The name was a tribute to the region of discovery which was the Volga River. The word 'titan' is derived from Greek mythology which refers to the divine ones who preceded the Olympians.

If you enjoy reading about dinosaurs, check out these Brachytrachelopan and Zigongosaurus facts.

How do you pronounce 'Volgatitan'? 

The word 'Volgatitan' is pronounced as Vol-ga-ty-tan

What type of dinosaur was a Volgatitan?

The Volgatitan is a genus of titanosaur sauropods.

In which geological period did the Volgatitan roam the earth?

This Titanosaurian Sauropod dinosaur lived during the Hauterivian age of the Early Cretaceous period.

When did the Volgatitan become extinct?

The V. simbirskiensis genus is estimated to have gone extinct around 129-132 million years ago.

Where did a Volgatitan live? 

The Volvatitan simbirskiensis was the only species of this dinosaur from the Northern Hemisphere. It was first found on the banks of River Volga near the Slantsevy Rudnik village in Ulyanovsk Oblast, Russia.

What was a Volgatitan's habitat? 

The Volgatitan preferred wetlands like its Sauropod family members. These speculations were based on the fossils being found next to the Volga River. In addition, sauropod fossils are usually found near coastal regions and floodplains, along with the fossils of marine creatures.

Who did a Volgatitan live with?

Evidence goes to show that the Titanosaurian sauropods preferred living in herds, but would maintain a limit on the number of individuals of the group.

How long did a Volgatitan live?

Based on the fossils of this Late Cretaceous dinosaur, no evidence has been analyzed to provide their exact lifespan.

How did they reproduce?

There are no exact details about the reproductive behavior of the Volatitan, but some information can be derived from the huge nesting ground discovered in Auca Mahuevo in the Patagonian region of Argentina, South America. Similarly, a nesting colony was discovered in Spain, and based on the colonial nesting pattern, and size it was concluded that they belonged to a titanosaurid dinosaur. It is speculated that over a hundred females would get together and dig holes with their hind legs to build their nest, almost like geese. The clutch size is estimated to be around 25 eggs and they were hidden under vegetation or dirt. The fossilized eggs were small with a diameter of around 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm). These also contain fossils of titanosaurid embryos along with impressions of their skins. Their skins were covered in tiny beaded scales which looked like mosaic armor.

What did a Volgatitan look like?

Due to only seven discovered vertebrae of this species, scientists have not been able to get an accurate physical description. However, they certainly had a typical sauropod bulky body, with log-like feet, and thick, but tapering tail, and a long neck.

How many bones did a Volgatitan have?

The exact number of bones in the skeleton of this titanosaurian sauropod from the Early Cretaceous epoch is unknown. However, the genus is described based on the seven fragments of caudal vertebrae.

How did they communicate?

The communication behavior and patterns of this dinosaur have not been identified. However, colonial nesting grounds and footprint fossils have suggested that these animals lived in herds, which means they would have either communicated through the visual or vocal display.

How big was a Volgatitan? 

The exact size of this genus is unknown to the lack of fossilized remains. However most titanosaur sauropods, especially the adult dinosaur, were around 65 ft (20 m) long, which is around 10 meters shorter than the blue whale, and about 52.5 ft (16 m) tall.

How fast could a Volgatitan move?

Although the movement speed of these dinosaurs has not been recorded, several members of the Sauropod clade are estimated to have had a top speed of around 5 mph (2 m/s) which is only four percent of the top speed of a cheetah.

How much did a Volgatitan weigh?

Due to minimal evidence, scientists have been unable to find the exact weight of the Volgatitan simbirskiensis. However, most sauropods were speculated to have weighed around 34,000 lb (15,422 kg), which is around five times the weight of a black rhinoceros.

What were the male and female names of the species?

Scientists have not given separate names for the male and female. Vladimir Efimov and Alexander Averianov named and described the species Volgatitan simbirskiensis. It was named in honor of its discovery region along with 'titan' which was derived from Greek mythology meaning the divine ones who belonged to the second generation that preceded the Olympians. In simbirskiensis 'Simbirsk' is the old name of Ulyanovsk.

What would you call a baby Volgatitan?

The babies of this species do not have different names and can be called juveniles.

What did they eat? 

These dinosaurs were herbivores. Most titanosaurs are known to have eaten a large variety of plants. Scientists have claimed that sauropods from different regions used a different variety of foods because of the specific flora in the area. Some scientists have also claimed that grasses, as well as sauropods, evolved together.

How aggressive were they?

Considering this was a harmless herbivore dinosaur, it is highly unlikely that they were aggressive. They may have displayed aggression during territorial fights or when threatened.

Did you know...

The only fossil representations of this dinosaur are the seven caudal vertebrae.

How was the Volgatitan discovered?

Vladimir Efimov discovered the fossil material of this species along the right bank of the Volga River, while on a fossil hunt. He found around four huge bones in pyrite nodules and three more in limestones. The only known remains of this dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period are seven caudal vertebrae. After 30 years of uncertainty, in 2018, Efimov along with Alexander Averianov named and described the genus and its only species.

What does the name 'Volgatitan' mean?

'Volga" is named after the river banks where the dinosaur remains were found and 'titan' is derived from Greek mythology, meaning the divine one who belonged to the second lineage that lived before the Olympians.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Zuniceratops facts and Heterodontosaurus facts for kids.

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

Image one by Nobu Tamura.

Image two by Dmitry Bogdanov.

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