Dinosaurs / Jurassic / Datousaurus
Datousaurus
Jurassic DAH-too-SAWR-us, “big-headed lizard”
Datousaurus is a Middle Jurassic sauropod discovered in the fossil-rich Dashanpu Quarry within the Lower Shaximiao Formation of Sichuan, China. Described in 1984 by Dong Zhiming and Tang Zilu, it is known from partial skeletons including a deep, robust skull. Its name, meaning big-headed lizard, refers to this unusually large and heavily constructed cranium filled with spoon-like, spatulate teeth. Datousaurus measured approximately fifteen metres in length and had a longer neck and larger body than its contemporary quarry-mate Shunosaurus. These anatomical differences suggest that while Shunosaurus fed on low-lying shrubs, Datousaurus utilised its height to feed on taller tree canopies, avoiding direct competition for resources.
It shared its habitat with the tail-clubbed sauropod Shunosaurus, partitioning food by browsing higher up.
Where and when
Datousaurus lived in the Middle Jurassic, from 168.3 to 163.5 million years ago (Bathonian-Callovian age). Its remains come from China, in the Lower Shaximiao Formation.
The numbers
Length 15 m (estimates run from 14 to 15 m). Mass about 12 t. Hip height about 3.5 m. That is 8.5 human-lengths, or 1.29 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from partial skeleton; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, hip height.