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Original drawing of Pachysuchus

early long-neck · Doubtful name

Pachysuchus

Say it like this: “PAK-i-SOO-kus”

Pachysuchus imperfectus

Pachysuchus ate plants and walked on two legs. It lived in the Early Jurassic. Bones have been found in China.

When
Early Jurassic (Hettangian · Sinemurian) · roughly 201.4 to 192.9 million years ago
Named in
1951 · Young, C. C.
Hip height
Not established
Length
Not established
Weight
Not established
Found in
China · Lufeng
Food and walking
Herbivore · Two legs
Kind
early long-neck · Sauropodomorph
Family branch
Sauropodomorpha

The story in short

Pachysuchus was formally named in 1951 by C. C. Young. The name means “thick crocodile.”

Fossils referred to Pachysuchus date to the Early Jurassic (Hettangian · Sinemurian), roughly 201.4 to 192.9 million years ago. Finds come from China, including the Lufeng Formation. It was a herbivore and walked on two legs.

The fossils of Pachysuchus are too incomplete for a responsible length, hip height, or weight, so those fields are left blank on purpose.

On the family tree it sits in Sauropodomorpha, among the early long-necked dinosaurs.

Close relatives