When it comes to the largest dinosaurs ever known to thrive about the Australia, evidence of their existence was revealed on Thursday. Scientists have found the fossil bones that once belonged to some of the largest creatures that the country had ever experienced, which will help researchers learn more about the prehistoric past of the region. In this article, further details are mentioned.
The discovery of such a feat actually occurred a couple of years ago, as in 2005 and 2006, farmers situated close to the outback town of Eromanga (in the south-west Queensland state) uncovered the remains of two Titanosaurs, which later received the nicknames of Cooper and George. The significance of such a find was kept under wraps so that further investigation of the dinosaur site could take place without any dino-hunters lurking in the midst.
According to a museum in Queensland, the fossilized remains of the dinosaurs originate from the leg, which were six to seven meters longer than the largest sauropod dinosaur previously holding the title in Australia. Researchers are excited about the find because it will answer many questions and provide insight on how large dinosaurs progressed about the continent. Their range across the country will also be studied since the latest bones found were located further south than the discoveries in the past. Researchers now anticipate uncovering additional key dinosaur discoveries in the near future.
Background on the Titanosaur
When exploring the ins and outs of this recent dinosaur find, you will learn that this breed of dino possessed long necks and tails, making them one of the heaviest creatures to date. The estimated weight of the Titanosaur could reach a high of 100 metric tons. The species is also known as one of the last sauropods thriving throughout the Cretaceous Period.
Titanosaurs lived in Australia about 98 million years ago and were named after the Titans associated with Greek myth. The climate and physical condition of the region was much different at the time, as the continent was filled with green and a lot wetter. Their main diet consisted of plants until they became extinct, which they feasted upon in the southern parts of what was known as the super-continent Gondwana.
The right humerus that belongs to Cooper weighs 220 pounds and is quite rare because not many complete bones of this size have been uncovered. The bone also measures 5 feet or 1.5 meters in length. The two dino finds is said to have been at least 26 meters long and may have compete with the Argentinosaurus (a 35-meter find from the area).
Any type of dino find in Australia is something to hit the headlines because the country is rather large with a lower population than other countries. This has been some of the obstacles that have slowed down the efforts from scientists. Farmers and landowners who come across something of interest on their property have found most of the dinosaur recoveries in Australia.