The Crested Herbivore of the Cretaceous
Muttaburrasaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 112 million years ago.
| Meaning | Named after Muttaburra in Australia [Muttaburra-saurus] |
| Pronunciation | MUT-ah-BUR-ah-sore-us |
| When: | Early Cretaceous (about 112–102 million years ago) |
| Where: | Australia (Queensland, New South Wales) |
| What: | Iguanodontid Ornithopod Iguanodontid Ornithopod dinosaur |
| Weight: | Estimated around 1.5–2.8 metric tons |
| Length: | Approximately 7–9 meters (23–30 feet) |
| Diet: | Herbivorous (ate cycads and other vegetation) |
| Discovered: | First described by Alan Bartholomai and Ralph Molnar in 1981 |
It belonged to a group of dinosaurs known as ornithopods, characterized by their bipedal stance and herbivorous diet.
Muttaburrasaurus was one of the largest ornithopods of its time, measuring about 8-9 meters (26-30 feet) in length.
One of the most distinctive features of Muttaburrasaurus was its large, bony crest on top of its head, which could have been used for display purposes or to amplify vocalizations.
This crest, combined with its robust body and strong legs, suggests that Muttaburrasaurus was well-adapted to feeding on vegetation and possibly defending itself against predators.
Fossils of Muttaburrasaurus have been found in Queensland, Australia, particularly in the town of Muttaburra, after which it is named.