Ouranosaurus

dinosaur · Africa · Early Cretaceous · sail-backed

Impressive size. Ouranosaurus was about 23 to 27 feet long (roughly as long as a bus) and weighed about 2.2 metric tons, making it a medium-sized dinosaur for its time.

African explorer. This dinosaur lived in what is now Niger and Cameroon in Africa during the Early Cretaceous period, about 125 million years ago.

Fossil finds. Scientists discovered three fossils of Ouranosaurus, including two nearly complete skeletons found in Niger in 1965 and 1970 that told us most of what we know about this creature.

Sail-backed design. Ouranosaurus had tall spines along its back that likely held up a sail of skin, which it may have used to attract mates or stay cool.

Herbivore lifestyle. This dinosaur was a plant-eater that walked on two hind legs and used its long tail for balance while munching on prehistoric plants.