Every month, 100,000 readers use the Dinosaur Database, but we receive no support from you. Developing and updating the database requires a lot of work. Therefore, as of September 1, 2025, the database will be closed. If you want it to remain open and be updated, please support us via the "Buy us a coffee" button available on every page.
Dinosaur: Massospondylus carinatus

Length*: | 5.7 m | 18.7 ft |
Weight*: | 450 kg | 992 lb |
*The largest known specimen
Period
Epoch: Early Jurassic
Stage: Hettangian-Pliensbachian
Years: 201.4–182.7 Ma
Details
Status: valid
Author: Owen
Year: 1854
Distribution
Area: Africa
Country: South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe
Region: Free State, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Leribe, Quthing, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South
Formation: Upper Elliot, Clarens, Bushveld Sandstone, Upper Karoo, Forest Sandstone, Mpandi
Locations
Sources
Material: Several dozen individuals (more than 80 ?).
References: Owen, Richard (1854). "Descriptive catalogue of the Fossil organic remains of Reptilia and Pisces contained in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England."
Barrett, Chapelle, Staunton, Botha & Choiniere (2019) Postcranial osteology of the neotype specimen of Massospondylus carinatus Owen, 1854 (Dinosauria: Sauropodomorpha) from the upper Elliot formation of South Africa.