Introduction to Agrosaurus Dinosaur
Agrosaurus is a relatively obscure genus of small-ish dinosaur that lived in the late Cretaceous period. It was a bipedal herbivore, meaning it walked on two legs and only ate plants. This dinosaur has only been known to science since 1975, and it is still a mystery as to exactly how it lived, what it ate, and what it looked like.
Agrosaurus has had a confusing history. When it was first discovered in the late 1960s, it was assumed to be a species of another type of dinosaur. It wasn’t until 1975 that it was identified as a separate genus of dinosaur, and it wasn’t until the 1990s that more detailed information about the dinosaur was made available. This has meant that, while there is now a lot of information about Agrosaurus, it is still a largely mysterious creature.
Physical Description of Agrosaurus Dinosaur
Agrosaurus was a small dinosaur, estimated to have been between three and four metres in length. It would have been relatively light, weighing around 250kg, although its exact weight is unknown due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils.
The most noticeable feature of Agrosaurus was its long and slender neck. Its body was slender and narrow in shape, with a small head and short tails. Its legs were short and thin, indicative of an animal that moved quickly and efficiently. It also had small, sharp claws for gripping onto its food.
Agrosaurus is thought to have been grey in colour, with an almost reptilian skin texture. Its head featured a small beak, which it would have used to peck at its food, as well as two large eyes, which would have helped it spot predators.
Behaviour & Diet of Agrosaurus Dinosaur
Agrosaurus has been likened to a modern-day bird or kangaroo in terms of its behaviour. It would have been relatively fast on its feet, able to hop and run around with ease. Its light weight and slender neck made it an efficient hunter, giving it the speed and agility required to catch small prey such as insects, lizards and small reptiles.
Its diet would mostly have been made up of fruits, seeds, and other plant material, as well as small prey animals. It would have also used its sharp claws to feed on small pieces of carrion. Agrosaurus would have also been capable of surviving in to the open, as it is known to have been able to consume small amounts of water in order to stay hydrated.
Habitat & Environment
Agrosaurus has only been identified from a handful of fossil sites in the UK, so its original habitat and environment is still a mystery. Based on the fossil evidence, it is likely that it lived in warm and humid forests and grasslands, where there was plenty of vegetation to feed on.
It would have been well adapted to the ever-changing environment, being capable of running, hopping, and swimming if necessary. Its small size would have allowed it to live among the roots and branches of trees, which would have provided excellent camouflage from predators.
Extinction of Agrosaurus Dinosaur
Like so many other species of dinosaurs, Agrosaurus became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period. At this time, the continents had shifted close together and there was less land available for animals to roam. This would have had a huge impact on Agrosaurus, as it was already small and might not have been able to find enough food.
On top of this, other large predators such as Tyrannosaurus rex, were starting to populate the area, which would have made life even more difficult for Agrosaurus. As a result, it is likely that the species went extinct, leaving only its fossil records behind.
Conclusion
Agrosaurus is an unusual and intriguing dinosaur. Its fossils are very fragmentary and it is still a mystery as to what it looked like and how it behaved in the wild. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating animal which provides a unique insight into the prehistoric world.