Yandusaurus Characteristics

Yandusaurus measured 5 feet (1.5 metres) in length, 1 foot (0.3 metres) in height and weighed around 7 kilograms (15 pounds). It was a small, bipedal dinosaur that moved around on its 2 strong hind legs that were built for fast running which helped this little dinosaur evade fierce predators. Yandusaurus had 4 clawed toes on each foot and 5 clawed fingers on each hand. Scientists do not know whether its hands were able to grasp. Its body was lightly built and its neck was long and thin. Its long, pointed tail was used for balance and to change direction quickly when running and escaping predators.

Yandusaurus had a short snout and large eyes that may suggest this dinosaur had good eyesight. It had many small triangular teeth in its jaws. The teeth had ridges on their surfaces, which were similar to the teeth of Thescelosaurus, Parksosaurus and Zephyrosaurus. The teeth and jaws indicate that Yandusaurus was a successful plant-eater that ate low lying prehistoric plant material.

One species (Y. hongheensis) is known from 2 nearly complete skeletons from fossils found in Xiashaximiao Formation, Sichuan, China. Paleontologists are studying several articulated (the bones are joined) skeletons and skulls of Yandusaurus. It is the earliest known hypsilophodontid and was found in Middle Jurassic rocks. All other hypsilophodontids are from the Late Jurassic, Early Cretaceous, and Late Cretaceous Periods.

Yandusaurus was named by Dong, Chang, Li, and Zhou in 1978. The type species is Y. hongheensis.