That extensive muzzle with its Nigersaurus teeth was great for scooping up ferns, horsetails along with other very low-lying plants. And Together with the bountiful teeth, the dinosaur would've experienced no trouble shearing by means of this vegetation.
Nigersaurus did not exhibit a similar modifications observed in the jaws of other dinosaurs with dental batteries, or mammals with elaborate chewing capabilities. The decreased jaw was L-shaped and divided into the subcylindrical transverse ramus, which contained the teeth, and the back again ramus, which was a lot more lightweight and was The situation for almost all of the muscle attachments. It absolutely was unique in that the tooth row expanded to the edges in the airplane of the most crucial ramus with the decrease jaw.
Nigersaurus is assumed to have lived in big herds and could have migrated more than extensive distances on the lookout for meals.
Nigersaurus, a rebbachisaurid sauropod from the middle Cretaceous period, was learned in the Elrhaz Formation in Niger. Its identify, which suggests “Niger’s lizard,” was provided subsequent the discovery of far more comprehensive continues to be in 1999, Whilst its fossils ended up initial described in 1976.
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The analyze of dinosaurs like Nigersaurus will help us to better have an understanding of the historical past of our Earth as well as the critical function that these historic creatures performed in shaping the world as we comprehend it these days.
On the other hand, this claim is contested by other scientists who imagine Nigersaurus was likely much more standard of other sauropods.
Its cranium was incredibly specialised for feeding. It experienced 4 huge facet fenestrae, openings within the skull and slim bones. It had a large muzzle crammed with over 500 teeth, which were changed around every single 14 days. The jaws can have experienced a keratinous sheath, anything similar to a huge beak. Nigersaurus is the one regarded tetrapod animal to own experienced jaws broader as opposed to cranium and teeth that prolonged laterally throughout the front.
This element has captured general public consideration, which makes it Among the most unforgettable facets of Nigersaurus's biology, specially in on the internet discussions.
Fossils of this dinosaur have been 1st described in 1976, but it had been only named Nigersaurus taqueti in 1999, immediately after even further and more total remains what dinosaur has 500 teeth were located and explained. The genus identify suggests "Niger reptile", and the specific name honours the palaeontologist Philippe Taquet, who identified the very first continues to be.
But that’s not all for Nigersaurus. Chris took us all to your flat location of purple-coloured sandstone where by he experienced located the upper jaw of the little one Nigersaurus—1 that may suit in addition to a silver greenback!
Horsetails (Equisetum) have a central, hollow stem with whorls of leaves or thin branches. They keep their spores inside of a cigar-shaped “cone” at the very best in the plant. Horsetails date again to ~370 million yrs in the past. For the duration of the beginning with the dinosaur period they grew to get virtually 30 feet tall (10m.)
Dental batteries are a unique adaptation located in some plant-taking in dinosaurs that allowed them to proficiently approach hard vegetation. These batteries consist of vertically stacked columns of teeth, Along with the best tooth in each column getting replaced since it wears out.
The Nigersaurus was a floor-degree browser. Its broad muzzle, combined with its a lot of teeth, permitted it to soak up massive amounts of vegetation in a single bite. The orientation of its teeth, all positioned within the entrance of its jaws, enabled it to proficiently crop and Get meals near to the bottom.