Turiasaurus

Say it like this: “TOO-ree-uh-SOR-us”

Turiasaurus riodevensis

Turiasaurus ate plants and walked on four legs. It lived in the Late Jurassic. Bones have been found in Spain.

Quiz me on Turiasaurus

When: Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian · Tithonian) · roughly 154.8 to 143.1 million years ago
Named in: 2006 · Royo-Torres, R.; Cobos, A.; Alcalá, L.
Hip height: 6.7 m · 22 ft
Length: 21–39 m · 69–128 ft
Weight: 30–50 tonnes
Found in: Spain · Villar del Arzobispo
Food and walking: Herbivore · Four legs
Kind: long-neck giant · Sauropod
Family branch: Turiasauria

The story in short

In 2006, R. Royo-Torres and colleagues published the name Turiasaurus. The name means “turia lizard.”

Fossils referred to Turiasaurus date to the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian · Tithonian), roughly 154.8 to 143.1 million years ago. Finds come from Spain, including the Villar del Arzobispo Formation. It was a herbivore and walked on four legs.

Published estimates put Turiasaurus at a length near 21–39 m, hips about 6.7 m high, and a body mass around 30–50 tonnes.

On the family tree it sits in Turiasauria, among the sauropod dinosaurs.

Close relatives

Amanzia

Amanzia greppini

Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) · roughly 154.8 to 149.2 million years ago

Losillasaurus

Losillasaurus giganteus

Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian · Tithonian) · roughly 154.8 to 143.1 million years ago

Mierasaurus

Mierasaurus bobyoungi

Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) · roughly 137.1 to 132.6 million years ago