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Saltasaurus

Dinosaur profile

Saltasaurus

Saltasaurus loricatus

HerbivoreLate CretaceousSauropod

Pronunciation

salt-a-sore-us

Meaning

Salta lizard

Type

Sauropod

Length

12M

Period

Late Cretaceous

Years

70 - 65 million years ago

Location

Argentina, Uruguay

Diet

Herbivore

About Saltasaurus

Saltasaurus is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous period, around 70 million years ago. It was a large herbivorous dinosaur that could grow up to around 30 feet (9 meters) in length and weigh several tons. It was named after the city of Salta in Argentina, where its remains were first discovered.

Saltasaurus is known for its distinctive armor plates on its neck and back, which were made of bone and covered in a layer of keratin, similar to the scales on a reptile. These plates may have been used for protection against predators, or for display during courtship. Saltasaurus had a long, narrow skull and a long, flexible neck, which it probably used to reach high into trees to feed on leaves and other plant matter. It had a relatively short, stocky body with four thick, pillar-like legs that supported its weight. It also had a long, whip-like tail that it may have used for balance or as a weapon.

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