Jobaria

Jobaria was a large, primitive sauropod discovered in the Sahara Desert of Niger. Although originally thought to date from the Early Cretaceous, revised geological dating indicates the Tiourarén Formation formed during the Middle Jurassic, roughly 165 to 160 million years ago. Measuring around eighteen to twenty-one metres in length and weighing over sixteen tonnes, Jobaria retained many primitive sauropod characteristics, such as spoon-shaped teeth and simple neck vertebrae without pneumatic hollows. Remarkably, multiple complete skeletons representing both adults and juveniles were found together, providing exceptional insights into its growth and anatomy. Its robust forelimbs were relatively long compared to other primitive sauropods, giving it a somewhat upright stance. It consumed enormous quantities of ferns, horsetails, and conifer foliage in a well-watered river basin.

Multiple juvenile and adult skeletons were found buried together in a single mass-death deposit.

Where and when

Jobaria lived in the Middle Jurassic, from 165 to 160 million years ago (Bathonian-Callovian age). Its remains come from Niger, in the Tiourarén Formation.

The numbers

Length 20 m (estimates run from 18 to 21 m). Mass about 19 t. Hip height about 4.5 m. That is 11.5 human-lengths, or 1.74 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from near-complete skeleton; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, first ma, last ma, hip height.

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