Plateosaurus
Plateosaurus trossingensis
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/dinofyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-dinofyi="dinosaur" data-slug="plateosaurus"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://dinofyi.com/iframe/dinosaur/plateosaurus/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://dinofyi.com/dinosaur/plateosaurus/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://dinofyi.com/dinosaur/plateosaurus/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/dinofyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<dinofyi-dinosaur slug="plateosaurus"></dinofyi-dinosaur>Among the first large plant-eating dinosaurs, Plateosaurus trossingensis reached about 8 meters and near 700 kilograms and ranged across the Late Triassic of central Europe, roughly 237 to 201 million years ago. Numerous individuals preserved together in Germany and Switzerland suggest herds that became trapped in mud. This early sauropodomorph, or prosauropod, could rear onto its hind legs to feed on higher vegetation and probably moved on two legs much of the time. Hermann von Meyer described it in 1837, making it one of the earliest scientifically named dinosaurs and an important marker of the group's early rise to large body size.
Plateosaurus was one of the first large herbivorous dinosaurs. Mass death assemblages in Germany and Switzerland suggest they may have died in mudtraps. It was a bipedal or facultatively quadrupedal prosauropod.
On this page
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Human Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 8.0 m | roughly the length of a large SUV |
| Height | 2.5 m | — |
| Weight | 700 kg | about 10 adult humans |
Diet & Feeding
Plateosaurus 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
Plateosaurus lived during the Triassic Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 237.0 to 201.4 million years ago.
The first true dinosaurs appeared during the late Triassic, including early theropods like Eoraptor and Herrerasaurus. Dinosaurs were still small and not yet dominant. The period ended with the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event.
Discovery & Naming
| Named By | Hermann von Meyer |
| Discovery Year | 1837 |
| Discovery Location | Trossingen, Germany |
Classification
Lizard-footed forms
Herbivorous dinosaurs that include the largest land animals of all time. Characterized by long necks, small heads, and massive bodies. Includes sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus.
Size Comparison
At 8.0 meters long and 700.0 kg, Plateosaurus was roughly the length of a large SUV and about 10 adult humans.
Other dinosaurs from the same period:
Quick Facts
| Classification | Sauropodomorpha |
| Geologic Period | Triassic Late |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Size | 8.0m long, 2.5m tall, 700.0kg |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Plateosaurus live?
What did Plateosaurus eat?
How big was Plateosaurus?
When was Plateosaurus discovered?
What type of dinosaur was Plateosaurus?
Where were Plateosaurus fossils found?
What is the scientific name of Plateosaurus?
Compare with Similar Dinosaurs
Explore More
Explore the Natural World
Discover more across the Nature FYI family