Dinosaur Dynasty

Jurassic Period: 206 million to 144 million years ago

During the Jurassic, dinosaurs around the world continued to grow in number, diversity, and especially in size. A look at China's large meat-eaters and plant-eaters shows us some of the features that dinosaurs of this era have in common—and the variety that makes each species distinct.

Highlights in this section include:

Mamenchisaurus (mah-MEN-chih-SAWR-us, meaning "China lizard") This sauropod is known chiefly for its extraordinary neck, which makes up nearly half the length of its entire body. An adult Mamenchisaurus could grow up to 70 feet long, and required a secondary nerve center, near its hips, to control its legs and tail.
Monolophosaurus (mon-uh-LOH-fuh-SAWR-us, or "single-crest lizard") This 16-foot-long meat-eater would have been a fearsome opponent for the Tuojiangosaurus you'll see it fighting. The crest on its skull might have been useful in attracting a mate or warning off other dinosaurs.
Tuojiangosaurus (twoh-JEE-ANG--o-SAWR-us, meaning "Tuo River lizard") This plant-eater's two rows of plates helped control its body temperature. Although the plates were probably useless for defense, this creature could thrust its double-spiked tail against an attacker's belly in times of peril.

continue to Cretaceous China >>