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Anchisaurus

Towering mounted sauropod skeleton in a museum atrium
Photo: Etemenanki3, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pronunciation
ANG-kee-SAWR-us
Name means
Near Lizard
Also known as
Yaleosaurus
Diet
Herbivore
Posture
Quadrupedal
Period
Early Jurassic
Length
7.5 feet (2.4 meters)
Height
3 feet (0.9 meters)
Weight
60 lbs (27 kg)

Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Sauropodomorpha · Infraorder: Prosauropoda · Family: Anchisauridae

Although discovered in Connecticut, Anchisaurus is believed to have ranged all over the world. This small sauropod walked on all four feet, but could stand on its hind feet when feeding. Its small slender head had teeth made for shredding leaves.

Reconstructed skeleton of a titanosaur, among the largest land animals
Photo: William Irvin Sellers, Lee Margetts, Rodolfo Aníbal Coria, Phillip Lars Manning, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

More Jurassic-period dinosaurs →

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 Anchisaurus mean?

The name Anchisaurus means “Near Lizard”. It is pronounced ANG-kee-SAWR-us.

When did Anchisaurus live?

Anchisaurus lived during the Early Jurassic.

Was Anchisaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?

Anchisaurus was a herbivore.

How big was Anchisaurus?

Anchisaurus was about 7.5 feet (2.4 meters) long, around 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall, weighing up to 60 lbs (27 kg).

Related dinosaurs

Other dinosaurs from the Anchisauridae family.

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