Camptosauridae

† Camptosauridae was a family of iguanodontian ornithopod dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, known from North America and Europe. These medium-sized, facultatively bipedal herbivores possessed robust forelimbs capable of weight-bearing, broad hips, and leaf-shaped teeth for processing vegetation. The family includes the well-known genus Camptosaurus. Portuguese material documents their Late Jurassic presence in Europe, confirming a broad, trans-Atlantic distribution during the Jurassic.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Camptosauridae 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

Jurassic Late Mesozoic Era

Camptosauridae lived during the Jurassic Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 161.5 to 145.0 million years ago.

One of the most iconic periods for dinosaurs. Giant sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus roamed alongside predators like Allosaurus. Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, appeared. The Morrison Formation preserves an extraordinary fossil record from this time.