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Saltasaurus
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Saltasaurus was a massive plant-eater (herbivore) that lived in the late
Cretaceous period,
between about
75 and 65 million years ago. It lived in South America -
fossils have
been found in Argentina and Uruguay.
Saltasaurus was around 39 feet (12 meters) long.
It probably weighed about 8 tons.
In other words, although a massive animal, it
was comparatively small for a
Sauropod dinosaur.
Saltasaurus was discovered in
1980.
The first fossils
found came from the Salta province in Northwest Argentina,
and hence the name, which means "lizard from Salta". Subsequently,
additional
fossils
have been found in Uruguay.
Prior to the discovery of Saltasaurus, scientists assumed that their great
size was sufficient protection for
Sauropod dinosaurs.
However, when Saltasaurus was discovered, the
fossils found,
include bony armor plates ("osteoderms") about 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12 centimeters)
in diameter, and thus it is believed that Saltasaurus had some armored protection
against predators.
There is even some suggestion that the bony plates may have had spikes, although
more fossils are
needed to confirm ot disprove this hypothesis.
Since the discovery of Saltasaurus, scientists have also begun to investigate
whether some other
Sauropods may also have had armor, and again there seems to
be some evidence that for some types of
Sauropod, this was the case.
In
1997,
hundreds of eggs containing
fossilized
embryos of
Sauropod dinosaurs, most likely Saltasaurus, were found in
Patagonia, Argentina. Each egg was about 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12 centimeters)
in diameter, and it appears that the female dinosaurs buried these eggs in sand and vegetation.
Particularly noteable, is the large number of animals which must have been at the same location at
the same time - if these are Saltasaurus eggs, this would suggest that Saltasaurus lived in herds.
Saltasaurus was a herbivore (plant-eater) that lived from 75 to 65 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Saltasaurus Facts
Here is a summary of some of the key facts about Saltasaurus:
- Saltasaurus was a genus of dinosaur.
- "Saltasaurus" means "lizard from Salta" (after the province in Argentina where it was first found).
- Saltasaurus was a member of the Saurischia ("lizard-hipped") order of dinosaurs. What this means, is that although Saltasaurus was not closely related to lizards, it did have similarly shaped pelvic bones.
- Saltasaurus was a Sauropod - a member of a group of related large quadrupedal herbivorous (plant-eating) dinosaur with long necks.
- Saltasaurus lived between about 75 million years ago and 65 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous period.
- Saltasaurus was one of the dinosaurs which died out during the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction at the end of the Mesozoic Era.
- Saltasaurus lived in South America (fossils have been found in Argentina and Uruguay).
- Saltasaurus was a herbivore (plant-eater).
- Saltasaurus was about 39 feet (12 meters) long.
- Saltasaurus weighed about 8 tons.
- Saltasaurus seems to have been protected by bony armor plates. It is even possible some of the plates may have had spikes, but this is not certain.
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Saltasaurus Books Here are some books from Amazon.com:
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By Janet Riehecky
The Childs World Inc Released: September 1st, 1990 Library Binding (32 pages)
| List Price: $21.36* Lowest New Price: $20.23* In Stock* *(As of 00:56 Pacific 5 Oct 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description: Saltasaurus: Dinosaurs Series- Manufacturer: The Childs World Inc
- ISBN: 0895656353
- EAN: 9780895656353
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Edition: English Language
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Janet Riehecky
- Publication Date: September 1st, 1990
- Release Date: September 1st, 1990
Physical Description:- Size: 10.25 inches by 8.25 inches by 0.25 inches
- Weight: 0.95 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By José Carlos Andrés
NubeOcho Released: June 25th, 2019 Hardcover (40 pages)
| Lowest New Price: $16.62* In Stock* *(As of 00:56 Pacific 5 Oct 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description: Adoptar un dinosaurio (Somos8) (Spanish Edition)- Manufacturer: NubeOcho
- Brand: NubeOcho
- ISBN: 8417123628
- EAN: 9788417123628
Details:- Hardcover
- Format: Picture Book
- Number of Pages: 40
- Author: José Carlos Andrés
- Publication Date: June 25th, 2019
- Release Date: June 25th, 2019
Physical Description:- Size: 11.0 inches by 10.0 inches by 0.5 inches
- Weight: 1.00089866948 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Phoenix Baldwin
BookBaby Released: November 1st, 2024 Paperback (32 pages)
| Lowest New Price: $9.99* This title has not yet been released. You may pre-order it now and we will deliver it to you when it arrives.* *(As of 00:56 Pacific 5 Oct 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description: Sam is Super ...Duper Picky! (DinoToons)- Manufacturer: BookBaby
- ISBN: 1667878859
- EAN: 9781667878850
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Phoenix Baldwin
- Publication Date: November 1st, 2024
- Release Date: November 1st, 2024
Physical Description:- Size: 11.0 inches by 8.5 inches by 0.1 inches
- Weight: 1.1133344231 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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Artgame
| List Price: $20.95* Lowest New Price: $16.00* In Stock* *(As of 00:56 Pacific 5 Oct 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description: 3D Dinosaur Fact Cards - Green - by Artgame- Manufacturer: Artgame
- Brand: Artgame
- UPC: 810554028180
- EAN: 0810554028180
- PartNumber: FC03DNO
Features:- 16 unique 3D Dinosaur cards - Made out of sturdy plastic
- 3D Image on the front, facts on the back of each card
- Green Pack Includes - Aquilops - Nasutoceratops - Baryonyx - Pteranodon - Cryolophosaurus - Rinchenia - Edmontosaurus - Saltasaurus - Gastonia - Sinosauropteryx - Iguanodon - Stegosaurus - Liopleurodon - Troodon - Mammoth - Tyrannosaurus
- Three dimensional - LOOKS REAL ! Keeps kids engaged in learning.
- Each card Measures 3" x 5" inches
Click here for more information |
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By José Carlos Andrés
NubeOcho Released: June 25th, 2019 Hardcover (40 pages)
| List Price: $16.95* Lowest New Price: $12.99* In Stock* *(As of 00:56 Pacific 5 Oct 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description: Adopting a Dinosaur (Somos8)- Manufacturer: NubeOcho
- Brand: NubeOcho
- ISBN: 8417123636
- EAN: 9788417123635
Details:- Hardcover
- Format: Picture Book
- Number of Pages: 40
- Author: José Carlos Andrés
- Publication Date: June 25th, 2019
- Release Date: June 25th, 2019
Physical Description:- Size: 11.0 inches by 10.0 inches by 0.25 inches
- Weight: 1.00089866948 pounds
Click here for more information |
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