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Algoasaurus

Filed under Dinosaurs · Types of Dinosaurs editorial team

Triceratops skull showing the three horns and large bony frill — Photo: Vicpeters, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pronunciation

al-GO-uh-SAWR-us

Name means

Algoa Lizard

Diet

Herbivore

Posture

Quadrupedal

Length

29.5 feet (9 meters)

Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Sauropodomorpha · Infraorder: Sauropoda

Known only from fragmentary remains found only in South Africa, Algoasaurus was probably less than half the size as Diplodocus. Discovered, as are so many dinosaurs, in a quarry, Algoasaurus suffered the indignityof having most of its skeleton, unrecognized by the quarrymen, pulverizedto make brick.

Mounted Diplodocus skeleton, an extremely long Jurassic sauropod — Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.

Frequently asked questions

What does Algoasaurus mean?

The name Algoasaurus means “Algoa Lizard”. It is pronounced al-GO-uh-SAWR-us.

Was Algoasaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?

Algoasaurus was a herbivore.

How big was Algoasaurus?

Algoasaurus was about 29.5 feet (9 meters) long.

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