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Thecodontosaurus

Mounted skeleton of Giganotosaurus, a giant carnivorous dinosaur
Photo: Rjcastillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pronunciation
thee-kuh-DON-tuh-SAWR-us
Name means
Socket-toothed lizard
Also known as
Agrosaurus
Diet
Herbivore
Posture
Bipedal
Period
Late Triassic
Length
9.6 feet (3 meters)
Height
4 feet (1.2 meters)

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

A very primitive prosauropod, Thecodontosaurus was found in England. Similar fossils have been found in North America, Africa and Australia. Thecodontosaurus had a long neck and slender limbs.

Restoration of Brachiosaurus, a giant long-necked sauropod
Photo: Gunnar Bivens, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

More Triassic-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 Thecodontosaurus mean?

The name Thecodontosaurus means “Socket-toothed lizard”. It is pronounced thee-kuh-DON-tuh-SAWR-us.

When did Thecodontosaurus live?

Thecodontosaurus lived during the Late Triassic.

Was Thecodontosaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?

Thecodontosaurus was a herbivore.

How big was Thecodontosaurus?

Thecodontosaurus was about 9.6 feet (3 meters) long, around 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall.

Related dinosaurs

Other dinosaurs from the Thecodontosauridae family.

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