Venenosaurus is an extinct type of dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 112 million years ago. This dinosaur was discovered in Utah, and its only known species is called Venenosaurus dicrocei.
The first fossils of Venenosaurus were found in 1998 by a volunteer named Anthony DiCroce from the Denver Museum of Natural History. The dinosaur was officially named in 2001 by scientists Virginia Tidwell and her team, to honor DiCroce for his discovery.
Venenosaurus was a relatively small sauropod, a type of dinosaur known for its long neck and large body. It measured about 39 feet long and weighed around 6 tons. This dinosaur had features that made it similar to another dinosaur called Cedarosaurus.
**Discovery and Naming**
In 1998, while exploring in Grand County, Utah, Anthony DiCroce and a team of volunteers found fossils at a place they named “Tony’s Bone Bed.” They discovered different dinosaur bones, including those of Venenosaurus.
The name “Venenosaurus” comes from the Latin word for “poison,” and refers to the “Poison Strip Member,” where the fossils were found. The species name honors DiCroce.
**Fossil Record**
The fossils of Venenosaurus were found in a specific area of Utah, and the main skeleton includes parts like vertebrae, shoulder bones, and leg bones. Most of the fossils are kept at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
Some other bones were found at a different site, but it’s uncertain if those belong to Venenosaurus or related dinosaurs.
**Anatomy**
The scientists who studied Venenosaurus noted that it was distinct yet similar to Cedarosaurus. This dinosaur had slender limbs and unique features in its bones.
– **Limbs:** The arm bones of Venenosaurus were thinner compared to similar dinosaurs. Its hand bones were long and slim.
– **Pelvis:** Venenosaurus had hips resembling those of the Brachiosaurus but had a mix of features from other dinosaurs.
– **Vertebrae:** The tail bones of Venenosaurus were short compared to other types of sauropods. Some vertebrae had special features that looked like deep grooves, which helped scientists identify this dinosaur.
In conclusion, Venenosaurus was a fascinating small sauropod from a time long ago, known for its unique features and the story of its discovery.