Ruehleia

Ruehleia is a large basal sauropodomorph that lived during the Norian stage of the Late Triassic Period in central Europe. Discovered in Thuringia, Germany, its remains comprise a well-preserved partial postcranial skeleton including vertebrae, pelvic elements, and an unusually complete forelimb. Ruehleia measured between seven and eight metres in length and likely weighed around two tonnes, making it comparable in stature to large individuals of its close cousin Plateosaurus. It was primarily adapted to browsing on low to mid-height gymnosperms and horsetails, using robust hands equipped with sharp defensive thumb claws. Although closely related to Plateosaurus, distinct anatomical differences in the manus and sacrum justify its status as an independent genus.

Its hand possessed five well-developed fingers with unusually robust inner digits.

Where and when

Ruehleia lived in the Late Triassic, from 215 to 208 million years ago (Norian age). Its remains come from Germany, in the Trossingen Formation.

The numbers

Length 7.5 m (estimates run from 7 to 8 m). Mass about 1.9 t. Hip height about 2.2 m. That is 4.4 human-lengths, or 0.67 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from partial skeleton; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, first ma, last ma, hip height.

Compare Ruehleia with a bus Place on the timeline