Sanpasaurus: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Sanpasaurus Sanpasaurus (SAHN-bah-SAWR-us; “Lizard from Sanba”) is a genus of sauropodomorph dinosaur that lived during the Early to Middle Jurassic period, approximately 183 to 168 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Maanshan Member of the Ziliujing Formation (sometimes referred to as the Dashanpu Formation) in Sichuan […]
Santanaraptor: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Santanaraptor Santanaraptor (SAN-tan-uh-RAP-tor; “Santana Formation plunderer”) is a genus of small coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 112 million years ago, in what is now northeastern Brazil. Its name refers to the Santana Formation, the historically fossil-rich rock layers where its remains were discovered,
Sarahsaurus: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Sarahsaurus Sarahsaurus (SAIR-uh-SAWR-us; “Sarah’s lizard”) is a genus of basal sauropodomorph dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 190 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Kayenta Formation of Arizona, in what is now North America. The name honors Sarah Butler, a major supporter of
Sarcolestes Sarcolestes (SAR-koh-LESS-teez; “Flesh Robber”) is a genus of ankylosaurian dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, about 165 million years ago, in what is now England. The name “Flesh Robber” is misleading because Sarcolestes was actually a plant-eating dinosaur. It was first named and described by paleontologist Richard Lydekker in 1893 based on
Sarcosaurus Sarcosaurus (SAR-koh-SAWR-us; “Flesh lizard”) Sarcosaurus is a genus of early theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 199 to 196 million years ago, in what is now England. The name Sarcosaurus means “flesh lizard,” referencing its presumed carnivorous diet. It was first described by paleontologist Charles William Andrews in 1921 based
Sarmientosaurus: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Sarmientosaurus Sarmientosaurus (SAR-mee-EN-toh-SAWR-us; “Sarmiento’s lizard”) is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur that lived about 95 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period. Its fossils were discovered in the Chubut Province of Patagonia, Argentina. The name Sarmientosaurus honors the nearby town of Sarmiento, where the fossils were found,
Saturnalia: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Saturnalia Saturnalia (SA-tur-NAY-lee-uh; “Named for the Saturnalia festival”) is a genus of basal sauropodomorph dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, specifically the Carnian stage, approximately 233 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in what is now southern Brazil, South America. Saturnalia was first described by paleontologists
Saurolophus: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Saurolophus Saurolophus (SAW-roh-LOH-fuss; “Lizard crest”) is a genus of large hadrosaurid, or “duck-billed,” dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 68 million years ago. Fossils of Saurolophus have been discovered in both North America, including Alberta, Canada, and California, USA, as well as in Asia,
Sauroniops: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Sauroniops Sauroniops (sow-RON-ee-ops; “Eye of Sauron”) is a genus of carcharodontosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 95 million years ago, in what is now Morocco. The name comes from “Sauron,” a character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and the Greek word
Sauropelta Sauropelta (SAW-roh-PEL-tuh; “Shield Lizard”) Sauropelta is a genus of nodosaurid dinosaur that roamed North America during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 115 to 110 million years ago. Its name, derived from Greek, means “shield lizard,” aptly describing the extensive bony armor that covered its body. Fossils of Sauropelta, primarily found in states like Montana,
