titanosaur

A titanosaur, or titanosaurs, is a member of the clade Titanosauria, a diverse group of sauropod dinosaurs known for their enormous size and wide geographic distribution during the Cretaceous. Titanosaurs were herbivorous, quadrupedal dinosaurs with long necks and tails. They first appeared in the Early Cretaceous and persisted until the end of the period, with fossils found on many continents, including Antarctica. This broad distribution reflects ecological flexibility in Cretaceous ecosystems.

Size in titanosaurs varied considerably, ranging from smaller forms to some of the largest land animals ever. Notable genera include Argentinosaurus, Patagotitan, Dreadnoughtus, Puertasaurus, and Saltasaurus. Saltasaurus is particularly important for showing dermal armor, as it possessed osteoderms in the skin. Most titanosaurs had relatively small heads compared with their bodies, long necks, and robust limb bones, and many possess air-filled vertebrae that helped reduce skeletal weight.

The fossil record for titanosaurs is especially rich in South America, particularly Patagonia, but remains have been found across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Antarctica. Titanosaurs have contributed to understanding sauropod evolution, gigantism, and growth patterns. Ongoing discoveries and new methods of analysis continue to refine ideas about their diversity, anatomy, and ecological roles during the Cretaceous.