Elaphrosaurus fossil map
Where fossils of Elaphrosaurus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 145 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 145 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Theropods |
|---|---|
| Lived | 154.8–93.9 million years ago (Kimmeridgian to Cenomanian) |
| Periods | Jurassic, Cretaceous |
| Family | Noasauridae |
| Named by | Janensch 1920 |
| Fossil records | 4 occurrences at 4 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Tanzania, United States, Morocco |
| Rock formations | Tendaguru, Morrison, txn:54535 |
About Elaphrosaurus
Elaphrosaurus ( el-AH-froh-SOR-əs) is a genus of ceratosaurian theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 155 to 145 million years ago during the Late Jurassic Period in what is now Tanzania in Africa. Elaphrosaurus was a medium-sized but lightly built member of the group that could grow up to 6.2 m (20 ft) long. Morphologically, this dinosaur is significant in two ways. Firstly, it has a relatively long body but is very shallow-chested for a theropod of its size. Secondly, it has very short hindlimbs in comparison with its body. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that this genus is likely a ceratosaur. Earlier suggestions that it is a late surviving coelophysoid have been examined but generally dismissed. Elaphrosaurus is currently believed to be a very close relative of Limusaurus, an unusual beaked ceratosaurian which may have been either herbivorous or omnivorous.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Elaphrosaurus (revision 1372295701), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q132550.
