Arctosaurus is a type of reptile that lived a long time ago during the Late Triassic period, which was around 237 million to 201 million years ago.
This reptile belongs to a group called archosauromorphs, which includes many ancient reptiles. For many years, it was thought to be a type of dinosaur called sauropodomorphs, but scientists have since realized that it does not fit neatly into this group. Instead, it’s more accurately related to a broader category called Archosauriformes. Some scientists have also suggested it might be related to another group of reptiles known as trilophosaurians.
From its vertebra, which is a bone in the spine, scientists estimate that Arctosaurus was about 1.5 meters long, or approximately 4.9 feet.
The first remains of Arctosaurus were found in 1859 by Captain Sherard Osborn on Cameron Island, located in Nunavut, Canada. These remains were discovered in rocks that date back to the Late Triassic period. The name “Arctosaurus” translates to “arctic lizard” because of the cold region where it was found.
In 2016, scientists revisited and studied the Arctosaurus material again, providing new insights into this fascinating extinct reptile.