What Is The State Dinosaur Of Texas? - Dinosaur Facts For Kids

The state dinosaur of texas has a more complicated history than most of the other states that have adopted a dinosaur. It has changed named twice, and been misidentified twice. That journey was worth it when you take a look at the actual dinosaur that was chosen, it was one of the biggest of all time.

Sauroposeidon was named as the state dinosaur of Texas in in 2009. although in that resolution it was known as the Paluxysaurus jonesi . This was later, in 2012, found to be a junior synonym of Sauroposeidon. From 1997 to 2009 the State dinosaur was Pleurocoelus, however the fossils used were identified in error.

So after, Pleurocoelus, then Paluxysaurus, Finally at least for the present, the Sauroposeidon is the state dinosaur of texas, and in the state where everything is just that little big bigger it is a great match. We take a look at it, how it became the state dinosaur and the state fossil, or not as the case may be in the article below.

Sauroposeidon: The State Dinosaur of Texas

We have some quick facts about the Texas State dinosaur, the Sauroposeidon below for you and have included the most important in a table to make access easier as well.

Sauroposeidon Quick Facts

Sauroposeidon name means ‘Lizard Earthquake God! ”
Sauroposeidon is thought to be one of the tallest of all known dinosaurs, with an estimated height of up to 16-18 meters – 54 -59 feet.

Sauroposeidon was first found in 1994, but was thought to be fossils of trees ( that’s some size of leg!)
Sauroposeidon was a huge sauropod dinosaur ( long necked) and its length is estimated between 89 and 112 feet)
With that huge height and length, Sauroposeidon also was very heavy, at 40 – 60,000 kg or 88,000 lbs to 133000 lbs! Making it one of the tallest, longest and heaviest dinosaurs of all time.

Sauroposeidon, like other sauropods, would have been a herbivore which means it ate plants and lots of them.
Sauroposeidon used to be known as Paluxysaurus jonesi
Sauroposeidon lived in the Early Cretaceous around 118 to 110 million years ago.

The first fossils found were on the Oklahoma / texas border in May 1994 by Bobby cross. As we mentioned they were thought to be fossilized tree trunks at the time.
Sauroposeidon is pronounced with 5 syllables and you say it like this. Saw – roh – poss – Eye – don

Dinosaur Name	State Dinosaur of	Length	Height	Weight	When Lived	When and where Discovered
*Sauroposeidon*	Texas. 1997 – 2009	89-112 feet (27-34 meters)	54 -59 feet (16-18 Meters)	88-133000 lbs (40-60,000 kg)	118 – 110 million years ago	Oklahoma Texas Border 1994 (1999)

Why is Sauroposeidon the State Dinosaur of Texas?

Although the actual story of why Sauroposeidon became the State dinosaur of texas is a little colorful, the actually naming of the dinosaur has a little history as well.

Texas may not have been the first state to name a dinosaur but it certainly has the biggest, only fitting for a state where everything seems larger! Texas, on paper at least, looks like it just cant make up its mind on what dinosaur it wants. it looks like it has had three in the last 30 years!

Actually it hasn’t but it has had a dinosaur that seemed to have a crisis of identity and changing its name. Prior to 2007 their state dinosaur was actually known as Paluxysaurus Jonesi, however this was thought to be a junior synonym of Sauroposeidon and was changed ( after the usual legislative procedure.

There is more to it than that though, as even before Paluxysaurus, Texas already had a state dinosaur, this one was Pleurocoelus which was actually first found in Maryland in 1858, and at the time not many sauropod dinosaurs were known from fossils in the U.S.A.

So A lot of later sauropod fossil finds were put under this umbrella name, even much larger ones like Sauroposeidon. Just to add confusion to the matter Pleurocoelus was also later renamed to Astrodon – Confused yet? because we are!

So while this initial error was rectified in 2007*** it then turned out that it all likelihood the State dinosaur chosen then, Paluxysaurus jonesi, was actually a smaller and junior Sauroposeidon – still confusing.

Lets make it simple, Sauroposeidon is the State dinosaur of texas and is likely to remain so —- probably!

That procedure actually involved a senator dressing up as a dinosaur!

Where was Sauroposeidon discovered?

Unlike the Pleurocoelus (now the Astrodon), which was discovered in Maryland, the Sauroposeidon previously the Paluxysaurus jonesi (CONFUSING we know) is a Texas, well mostly, dinosaur born and bred in Texas, had Texas existed back then of course.

It has also been found on the border with Oklahoma and in Wyoming. The most complete fossils are known from the Twin mountains formation in Texas, and these were the fossils known as Paluxysaurus jonesi at the time. ( later Paluxysaurus jonesi was changed to be a junior version of Sauroposeidon.

So while the name of the state dinosaur of Texas changed, the actual dinosaur didn’t. Well after 2007 at least!!!

What is the State Fossil of Texas?

The state stone of Texas is actually a fossil. it is of a petrified wood called Palmwood. Texas adopted this fossilized wood as its state stone in 1969.

it is about 34 to 23 million years old and can be found in both Texas and Louisiana. it grew along side prehistoric beaches and can be found with shells and fossil molluscs.

It is not officially a state fossil and Texas, to our knowledge does not actually have one of these yet. But as its fossilized already…. well its half way there.

Texas had chosen its dinosaur a little earlier than most other states.

you can check out the other state dinosaurs, those that have adopted one as a state symbol, here in the following list.

Arizona

Utah
Wyoming

You can also read more about State dinosaurs in our US State dinosaur page as well linked here and below.

U.S. State Dinosaurs

Conclusion

The story behind the state dinosaur of Texas may be more than a little confusing with all the name changes, and even the change of dinosaur in 2007, but for the last 15 years at least it seems to have been settled.

The sauroposeidon is the state dinosaur of Texas, and with its tremendous size even rivalling Argentinosaurus, it is a fitting dinosaur for the lone star state.

References

Roy Ford

Hi, I am Roy Ford a General Studies and English Teacher who has taught all over the world. What started as a fossil collection became a great way to teach, motivate and inspire students of all ages and all over the world about dinosaurs and from that and children’s love of dinosaurs came the site dinosaur facts for kids, a resource for all ages.