Leaellynasaura

Name meaning:

Leaellyn’s lizard

Period of life:

118–110 million years ago

Period:

Cretaceous period

Habitat:

Taiga

Taxonomy:

Ornithischians

Countries:

Cretaceous period Leaellynasaura | 3D Dinopedia

Koolasuchus

Andrewsarchus

Leaellynasaura (118–110 million years ago)

What does the name mean: “Leaellyn’s lizard,” named in honor of Leaellyn Rich, the daughter of the paleontologists who discovered it.

Leaellynasaura amicagraphica was a small herbivorous dinosaur of the Early Cretaceous, living about 118–110 million years ago. Fossils of this species were discovered in Australia, in the region known as Dinosaur Cove. The genus name honors Leaellyn Rich.

Known specimens of Leaellynasaura amicagraphica reached about 90 centimeters in length. However, most discovered individuals were juveniles. It is thought that fully grown adults may have reached lengths of about 2–3 meters, considerably larger than the original estimates.

Although the fossil remains of Leaellynasaura amicagraphica are limited, they allow a partial reconstruction of its appearance. The hind limbs were long and three-toed, indicating an ability for rapid running. The forelimbs were shorter and were probably used during feeding. The skull was small and lightly built.

Leaellynasaura amicagraphica was a herbivorous dinosaur that likely fed on low-growing vegetation, including ferns and horsetails. The study of this species is important for understanding dinosaur adaptations to high-latitude environments and their evolutionary history.

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