Mbiresaurus

Discovered in Zimbabwe, Mbiresaurus is currently recognised as the oldest definitive dinosaur found on the African continent, dating to the Carnian stage of the Late Triassic around 230 million years ago. It belongs to the dawn of the sauropodomorph branch, long before they attained huge dimensions. Mbiresaurus measured roughly two metres in length and stood lightly on two slender hind limbs, balancing with a long tail. Its small, serrated teeth indicate an omnivorous or early herbivorous diet, consuming low vegetation alongside small prey. The discovery of Mbiresaurus supported the hypothesis that early dinosaurian groups remained confined to high-latitude temperate regions across southern Pangaea until global climatic shifts enabled their rapid worldwide dispersal.

It represents Africa's oldest definitive dinosaur, helping confirm that early dinosaurs were initially restricted to temperate climate belts across Pangaea.

Where and when

Mbiresaurus lived in the Late Triassic, from 232 to 228 million years ago (Carnian age). Its remains come from Zimbabwe, in the Pebbly Gush Formation.

The numbers

Length 1.8 m (estimates run from 1.5 to 2 m). Mass about 26 kg. Hip height about 0.5 m. That is 1.1 human-lengths, or 0.16 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from partial skeleton; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, hip height.

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