Bajadasaurus pronuspinax

† Bajadasaurus pronuspinax was an Early Cretaceous dicraeosaurid sauropod from the Bajada Colorada Formation of Neuquén, Argentina. This medium-sized herbivore bore remarkably long, forward-projecting neural spines on its neck vertebrae, possibly used for display or defense against predators. It represents the last known dicraeosaurid lineage and inhabited early Cretaceous Patagonia.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Bajadasaurus pronuspinax was a plant-eating dinosaur. Herbivores typically fed on ferns, cycads, conifers, and other vegetation available during their era. Many herbivorous dinosaurs developed specialized teeth and digestive systems for processing tough plant material.

Time Period

Cretaceous Early Mesozoic Era

Bajadasaurus pronuspinax lived during the Cretaceous Early period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 145.0 to 100.5 million years ago.

The Cretaceous saw continued dinosaur evolution with the rise of ornithopods and early ceratopsians. Flowering plants first appeared and began to transform terrestrial ecosystems. Spinosaurus and other large theropods lived during this time.