**Atlascopcosaurus: A Herbivorous Dinosaur**
**Time Period:**
Atlascopcosaurus lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 114 million years ago.
**What is Atlascopcosaurus?**
Atlascopcosaurus is a type of dinosaur known as a basal iguanodont. This means it was part of a group of plant-eating dinosaurs that walked on two legs. It was discovered in Australia.
**Discovery:**
The first fossils of Atlascopcosaurus were found in 1984 near Dinosaur Cove on the coast of Victoria, Australia. These fossils were part of the Eumeralla Formation, which dates back to the early Cretaceous period.
The main fossil included a piece of the upper jaw with teeth, as well as some other bones. Even though parts of the dinosaur are missing, scientists can guess that Atlascopcosaurus was a small dinosaur that likely walked on two legs and ate plants.
**Naming:**
The name Atlascopcosaurus was created by scientists Tom Rich and Patricia Vickers-Rich in 1989. The name “Atlascopcosaurus” comes from the Atlas Copco Company, which helped provide tools for the excavation. The species name “loadsi” honors a man named William Loads, who was the manager of this company during the discovery.
**Size:**
Researchers believe Atlascopcosaurus was about two to three meters long, which is roughly 6.5 to 10 feet. It likely weighed around 125 kilograms, similar to the weight of a small car.
**Where Does Atlascopcosaurus Fit in Dinosaur Family Trees?**
Initially, scientists thought Atlascopcosaurus belonged to a group called Hypsilophodontidae. However, later studies showed this group was not a proper family tree. Some scientists now place Atlascopcosaurus at the base of another group called Iguanodontia, alongside similar dinosaurs.
In summary, Atlascopcosaurus is a fascinating herbivorous dinosaur from Australia, representing an important part of Cretaceous history.