Shantungosaurus
Shantungosaurus giganteus, the titanic duck-bill of the Cretaceous, roamed in herds across Asia's fertile plains. Towering at 15 meters, this gentle giant wielded a broad snout for efficient grazing, playing a crucial role in its ecosystem's plant life balance.
Length: 14.9 - 16.5 m; Height: 7.01 m
Size
Characteristics
Shantungosaurus giganteus, a colossal hadrosaurid dinosaur, thrived in Late Cretaceous Asia. Known for its massive size, it reached lengths over 15 meters, weighing up to 16 tons. This herbivore sported a broad, duck-billed snout and likely lived in herds, grazing on lush, prehistoric vegetation.
Distribution Range of the Shantungosaurus
Shantungosaurus giganteus is a species of hadrosaurid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. The fossils of this species have been primarily found in the Shandong Province of eastern China, which was part of the known geographical distribution of this dinosaur.
Shantungosaurus's Habitat
Environmental Conditions
During the Late Cretaceous, the region that is now Shandong Province was characterized by a warm, humid climate with a variety of ecosystems, including floodplains, rivers, and coastal areas. This environment supported diverse plant life, providing abundant food sources for herbivorous dinosaurs like Shantungosaurus.
Ecological Niche
Shantungosaurus giganteus occupied the niche of a large herbivore, feeding primarily on the abundant vegetation, such as ferns, conifers, and flowering plants. Its size and build suggest it may have foraged both high and low vegetation, utilizing its strong hind legs and possibly quadrupedal stance to access a variety of plant materials.
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