Aragosaurus was a primitive sauropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Spain during the Early Cretaceous period, about 132 to 121 million years ago. It was one of the first dinosaurs to be discovered in Aragon, and its name means “Aragon lizard”. It had a long neck and tail, but also carried armor in the form of osteoderms. These were bony plates or spikes that covered its back and neck, and may have helped it defend itself from predators.
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
| Time Period | Early Cretaceous (132-121 million years ago) |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Length | 18 meters (59 feet) |
| Weight | 25 metric tons (27.6 short tons) |
| Size | Large |
| Posture | Quadrupedal |
| Locations | Spain |
| Continent | Europe |
| Type | Sauropods |
| Habitats | Grasslands, Floodplains |
Description of Aragosaurus
Historical Context
Aragosaurus was the first dinosaur to be discovered and named in Spain, in 1987. It was found in the province of Teruel, in the autonomous region of Aragon, which gave it its name, meaning “Aragon lizard”. It was deposited in the Villar del Arzobispo Formation, which dates back to the early Berriasian age, about 132 to 121 million years ago. Aragosaurus was one of the earliest sauropods to appear in Europe, and it may have been related to other sauropods from South America and Africa.
Physical Attributes
Aragosaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that belonged to the group of sauropods, which were characterized by their long necks, long tails, and four-legged stance. Aragosaurus was a member of the subgroup of macronarians, which were the most diverse and widespread sauropods in the Cretaceous. Aragosaurus had a broad, low-slung body with short legs and a long tail. Its head was wide and flat, with small eyes and nostrils that faced sideways rather than forward. Its jaws were covered with a horny beak and had small, peg-like teeth for cropping plants. Its most distinctive feature was its neck, which was longer than most other macronarians. The neck had fifteen vertebrae that were elongated and flexible, allowing Aragosaurus to reach high up in the trees for food.
Feeding Habits
Aragosaurus was a herbivore that fed on low-growing plants such as ferns, cycads, and horsetails. It had a broad muzzle that allowed it to take large bites of vegetation. It did not have complex teeth for chewing, so it swallowed its food whole or with minimal processing. It had a large gut that could digest tough plant matter with the help of symbiotic bacteria. Aragosaurus may have used its long neck to browse on different levels of the forest canopy, avoiding competition with other herbivores.
Unique Features
Aragosaurus had several unique features that distinguished it from other sauropods and dinosaurs. One of them was its size, which was larger than most other European sauropods. It reached a length of 18 meters (59 feet) and a weight of 25 metric tons (27.6 short tons). Another unique feature was its posture, which was more horizontal than vertical. Aragosaurus held its neck and tail parallel to the ground, rather than arching them upward or downward. This posture may have helped Aragosaurus balance its massive body and reduce stress on its bones and muscles.
Movement and Speed
Aragosaurus was not a fast or agile dinosaur. It walked on four legs and had a low center of gravity, which made it stable but also limited its mobility. It could not turn quickly or run for long distances. Its top speed has been estimated to be around 15 km/h (9 mph), similar to a human jogging pace. However, it could make sudden movements when necessary, such as raising its head or swinging its tail.
Cultural Impact
Aragosaurus has not been featured in many books, movies, games, or toys as a popular dinosaur. It is often overshadowed by other sauropods such as Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus, or Argentinosaurus. However, some examples of its appearances in popular culture are Dinosaur King (2007-2009), a Japanese anime series where it is one of the main characters’ dinosaurs, and Jurassic World Evolution (2018), a video game where it is one of the unlockable dinosaurs.
Interesting Facts
- Aragosaurus was the first dinosaur to be discovered and named in Spain, in 1987.
- Aragosaurus lived about 132 to 121 million years ago, during the early Berriasian age, and are now known from fossils in the Villar del Arzobispo Formation of modern-day Castellon.
- Aragosaurus was one of the earliest sauropods to appear in Europe, and it may have been related to other sauropods from South America and Africa.
- Aragosaurus had a very long neck that was longer than most other macronarians. The neck had fifteen vertebrae that were elongated and flexible, allowing Aragosaurus to reach high up in the trees for food.
- Aragosaurus was larger than most other European sauropods. It reached a length of 18 meters (59 feet) and a weight of 25 metric tons (27.6 short tons).
Related Dinosaurs
- Brachiosaurus: A close relative of Aragosaurus that had a taller neck and a shorter tail and was one of the heaviest dinosaurs ever known.
- Camarasaurus: Another close relative of Aragosaurus that had a shorter neck and tail and a more robust body.
- Argentinosaurus: A more distant relative of Aragosaurus that was one of the largest and heaviest dinosaurs ever known.
