For over 130 million years, sauropod dinosaurs roamed the Earth, dominating landscapes and feeding on vast amounts of plants. Until now, no direct evidence supported their herbivorous diet, but a recent discovery has shed new light on these plant-eating giants.
In a new study published in Current Biology, researchers describe the fossilized gut contents of an exceptional sauropod specimen found in outback Queensland, Australia. The find, nicknamed “Judy,” is the most complete sauropod skeleton and skin ever discovered in Australia, providing valuable insights into the feeding habits of these behemoths.
Judy’s remains reveal that sauropods ate a mix of conifer bracts, seed pods from extinct ferns, and leaves from flowering plants just before their death. Analysis of her gut contents shows that Judy barely chewed her food – her gut flora did most of the digestive work. This suggests that sauropods had an abundant and reliable food source, allowing them to sustain their massive bodies.
The discovery supports the long-held hypothesis that sauropods were herbivores, as they lacked teeth adapted for tearing flesh or crushing bone. Their relatively simple teeth and small brains made it unlikely they would have been able to outsmart or outrun potential prey.
While sauropods shared some similarities in body plan, their variation in snout shape, tooth structure, and neck length suggests that each species had its unique adaptations for feeding on plants. Judy’s find provides a rare opportunity to study these differences up close.
The discovery of Judy’s gut contents has significant implications for our understanding of sauropod evolution and behavior. As scientists continue to uncover new fossil finds in outback Queensland, this remarkable specimen will remain an essential part of the story of these incredible dinosaurs.
Source: https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/judy-saurpod-dinosaur-diet