Aralosaurus was a rare hadrosaurid dinosaur that lived in what is now Kazakhstan during the Late Cretaceous period, about 83 million years ago. It was one of the first dinosaurs to be discovered near the Aral Sea, and its name means “Aral lizard”. It had a distinctive bony hump on its snout, which may have been used for communication or display. It was related to the famous duck-billed dinosaurs, but had a more primitive skull and teeth.
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
| Time Period | Late Cretaceous (83.6 million years ago) |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Length | 8-9 meters (26-30 feet) |
| Weight | 3-4 metric tons (3.3-4.4 short tons) |
| Size | Medium |
| Posture | Quadrupedal |
| Locations | Kazakhstan |
| Continent | Asia |
| Type | Ornithopods |
| Habitats | Grasslands, Floodplains |
Description of Aralosaurus
Historical Context
Aralosaurus was the first dinosaur to be discovered and named in Kazakhstan, in 1968 by Anatoly Konstantinovich Rozhdestvensky. It was found in the Bostobe Formation, which dates back to the early Berriasian age, about 83.6 million years ago. Aralosaurus was one of the earliest members of the Lambeosaurinae, a group of hadrosaurid dinosaurs that had hollow crests on their heads. It may have been related to other lambeosaurines from South America and Africa.
Physical Attributes
Aralosaurus was a medium-sized herbivorous dinosaur that belonged to the group of ornithopods, which were characterized by their beaked mouths and hoof-like feet. Aralosaurus had a 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 crest, which was located far in front of the eyes and rose sharply from the nasal bone like a bump. The crest was hollow and connected to the respiratory system, and may have been used for sound production or display.
Feeding Habits
Aralosaurus 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. Aralosaurus may have used its crest to communicate with other members of its herd or to warn off predators.
Unique Features
Aralosaurus had several unique features that distinguished it from other ornithopods and dinosaurs. One of them was its size, which was smaller than most other lambeosaurines. It reached a length of 8-9 meters (26-30 feet) and a weight of 3-4 metric tons (3.3-4.4 short tons). Another unique feature was its crest, which was different from the more elaborate crests of other lambeosaurines. The crest of Aralosaurus was simple and bumpy, and did not extend over the eyes or the back of the head.
Movement and Speed
Aralosaurus 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 12 km/h (7 mph), similar to a human walking pace. However, it could make sudden movements when necessary, such as raising its head or swinging its tail.
Cultural Impact
Aralosaurus has not been featured in many books, movies, games, or toys as a popular dinosaur. It is often overshadowed by other ornithopods such as Iguanodon, Parasaurolophus, or Edmontonia. 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
- Aralosaurus was the first dinosaur to be discovered and named in Kazakhstan, in 1968.
- Aralosaurus lived about 83.6 million years ago, during the early Berriasian age, and are now known from fossils in the Bostobe Formation of modern-day Kyzylorda Region.
- Aralosaurus was one of the earliest members of the Lambeosaurinae, a group of hadrosaurid dinosaurs that had hollow crests on their heads.
- Aralosaurus had a simple and bumpy crest that rose sharply from the nasal bone like a bump.
- Aralosaurus was smaller than most other lambeosaurines. It reached a length of 8-9 meters (26-30 feet) and a weight of 3-4 metric tons (3.3-4.4 short tons).
Related Dinosaurs
- Canardia: A close relative of Aralosaurus that had a more complex crest and lived in France.
- Jaxartosaurus: Another close relative of Aralosaurus that had a similar crest and lived in Kazakhstan and China.
- Tsintaosaurus: A more distant relative of Aralosaurus that had a long and pointed crest and lived in China.
