Wintonotitan (Winton Titan)

Basic facts

  • 49 feet (15m) length

  • Early Cretaceous

  • Australia

  • Herbivore

Wintonotitan, a colossal titanosaur dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period was an immense dinosaur, estimated to have reached lengths of up to 49 feet (15 meters) and weighed around 10 to 15 metric tons. It was characterized by a long neck and tail, a hallmark feature of titanosaurs, which allowed it to reach vegetation at various heights in its environment.

Unlike some titanosaurs, Wintonotitan had relatively straight limb bones, indicating a more robust and sturdy build. Its large body size and massive weight suggest that it was well-adapted for supporting its colossal frame on four powerful legs. It was relatively small for a titanosaur.

The discovery of Wintonotitan dates back to 1974 when its remains were unearthed in the Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia. The dinosaur was formally identified and described by paleontologist Scott Hocknull and his team in 2009. The name "Wintonotitan" is a combination of "Winton," the region where it was discovered, and "titan," referring to its classification as a titanosaur.

Wintonotitan belongs to the Titanosauria group, a diverse lineage of large, long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs that thrived during the Late Cretaceous period.

Evidence suggests that Wintonotitan was likely a social animal, living in herds to increase its chances of survival against predators and to maximize access to food resources. Living in herds also provided opportunities for communal defense of their young, ensuring the continuation of their species.