List of South American dinosaurs facts for kids

This is a list of amazing dinosaurs whose bones have been found in South America. Get ready to explore some of the most incredible creatures that once roamed this continent!

Meet the Dinosaurs of South America

Name	Year Found	Where They Lived (Formation)	Location	Cool Facts	Images
Abelisaurus	1985	Allen Formation?/Anacleto Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	We only know this dinosaur from a part of its skull.
Achillesaurus	2007	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	It might be the same as Alvarezsaurus.
Adamantisaurus	2006	Adamantina Formation (Late Cretaceous, Turonian to Maastrichtian)	Brazil	This titanosaur had special ball-and-socket joints in its tail bones.
Adeopapposaurus	2009	Cañón del Colorado Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)	Argentina	Its jaw bones suggest it might have had a beak like a bird.
Aeolosaurus	1987	Various formations (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina  Brazil?	We know this dinosaur from the remains of several different individuals.
Aerosteon	2009	Anacleto Formation?/Plottier Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian to Campanian)	Argentina)	Its bones had many air pockets, like the air sacs in modern birds.
Agustinia	1999	Lohan Cura Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)	Argentina	Scientists first thought it had spikes, but they were actually broken ribs.
Alnashetri	2012	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	This is the oldest alvarezsauroid found in South America.
Alvarezsaurus	1991	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	It was one of the largest alvarezsaurids known.
Amargasaurus	1991	La Amarga Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian)	Argentina	It had two rows of spines on its neck, possibly covered in skin or keratin.
Amargatitanis	2007	La Amarga Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian)	Argentina	First thought to be a titanosaur, it's now seen as a different type of sauropod.
Amazonsaurus	2003	Itapecuru Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)	Brazil	This dinosaur had tall spines on its tail bones.
Amygdalodon	1947	Cerro Carnerero Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	Its teeth were shaped like almonds.
Anabisetia	2002	Lisandro Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	We have four specimens, but its skull is still mostly a mystery.
Andesaurus	1991	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	Its bone features show it was an early member of the Titanosauria group.
Aniksosaurus	2006	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	Many bones found together suggest it lived in groups.
Antarctosaurus	1929	Various formations (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian to Campanian)	Argentina  Brazil?	Many bones were thought to be from this dinosaur, but some might be from others.
Aoniraptor	2016	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It might be a valid megaraptoran or the same as Gualicho.
Arackar	2021	Hornitos Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Chile	This is the most complete sauropod dinosaur found in Chile.
Aratasaurus	2020	Romualdo Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)	Brazil	All three of its toes were perfectly symmetrical.
Argentinosaurus	1993	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	This might be the largest dinosaur ever discovered!
Argyrosaurus	1893	Lago Colhué Huapí Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	Only the first discovered bones can be surely linked to this dinosaur.
Arrudatitan	2021	Adamantina Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Brazil	Its tail likely curved strongly downwards, almost touching the ground.
Asfaltovenator	2019	Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	It has features of two different dinosaur groups, making it unique.
Atacamatitan	2011	Tolar Formation (Late Cretaceous)	Chile	We only know this dinosaur from one incomplete skeleton.
Aucasaurus	2002	Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian to Campanian)	Argentina	We have almost a full skeleton, including most of its skull.
Austrocheirus	2010	Cerro Fortaleza Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	This abelisauroid had unusually long arms.
Austroposeidon	2016	Presidente Prudente Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Brazil	This is the largest dinosaur found in Brazil!
Austroraptor	2008	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It had a long snout, similar to spinosaurids.
Baalsaurus	2018	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Turonian to Coniacian)	Argentina	Its lower jaw was squared off, with teeth packed at the front.
Bagualia	2020	Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	This dinosaur appeared after a global warming event.
Bagualosaurus	2018	Santa Maria Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Brazil	Its back legs were very strong and thick.
Bajadasaurus	2019	Bajada Colorada Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian)	Argentina	It had long, forward-pointing spines on its neck, in pairs.
Barrosasaurus	2009	Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	We only have three well-preserved tail bones from this dinosaur.
Baurutitan	2005	Serra da Galga Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Brazil	It was first described from a series of nineteen backbones.
Berthasaura	2021	Goio-Erê Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)	Brazil	It had a short, toothless beak, meaning it ate plants or both plants and meat.
Bicentenaria	2012	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	Several individuals were found together, suggesting they lived in groups.
Bonapartenykus	2012	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	Its fossil was found with two eggs, possibly still inside its body.
Bonapartesaurus	2017	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It belongs to a group of hadrosaurs unique to South America.
Bonatitan	2004	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	Its inner ear suggests it couldn't move its head as much as other sauropods.
Bonitasaura	2004	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	Its body shape was similar to another dinosaur group, but they evolved this separately.
Brachytrachelopan	2005	Cañadón Calcáreo Formation (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian to Tithonian)	Argentina	This sauropod had the shortest neck of any known sauropod!
Brasilotitan	2013	Adamantina Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Brazil	Its lower jaw was L-shaped, similar to Antarctosaurus.
Bravasaurus	2020	Ciénaga del Río Huaco Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It was found near a large group of titanosaur eggs.
Buitreraptor	2005	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	Its long legs suggest it was a fast hunter.
Buriolestes	2016	Santa Maria Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Brazil	Unlike other sauropod relatives, this one was a meat-eater with sharp teeth.
Bustingorrytitan	2023	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian	Argentina	It was a large dinosaur but not closely related to other giant titanosaurs.
Caieiria	2022	Serra da Galga Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Brazil	Its tail bones had a very unusual shape.
Campylodoniscus	1961	Bajo Barreal Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	We only know this dinosaur from a single upper jaw bone with seven teeth.
Carnotaurus	1985	La Colonia Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Argentina	This dinosaur had two short horns on top of its skull.
Cathartesaura	2005	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	It had a strong neck, but it couldn't move it much up or down.
Chilesaurus	2015	Toqui Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian)	Chile	This dinosaur has a mix of features from different dinosaur groups, which is very rare!
Choconsaurus	2017	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	It's one of the more complete early titanosaurs we know.
Chromogisaurus	2010	Ischigualasto Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Argentina	Its discovery showed that early dinosaurs were more varied than we thought.
Chubutisaurus	1975	Cerro Barcino Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)	Argentina	Unusually, its front limbs were shorter than its back limbs.
Chucarosaurus	2023	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It was smaller and thinner than the giant Argentinosaurus that lived at the same time.
Clasmodosaurus	1898	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	Like Bonitasaura, its teeth had a polygon shape when cut across.
Coloradisaurus	1990	Los Colorados Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)	Argentina	It was first called Coloradia, but that name was already taken by a moth.
Comahuesaurus	2012	Lohan Cura Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)	Argentina	Its bones were first thought to be from Limaysaurus, but it's a separate genus.
Condorraptor	2005	Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	It's closely related to Piatnitzkysaurus but has some key differences in its bones.
Dreadnoughtus	2014	Cerro Fortaleza Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	This is the heaviest land animal whose weight can be estimated quite accurately.
Drusilasaura	2011	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It might be the oldest known member of a group called lognkosaurians.
Ekrixinatosaurus	2004	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	It had strong bones, meaning it was very tough and could resist injuries.
Elaltitan	2012	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	Its long thigh bone shows it was an extremely large dinosaur.
Elemgasem	2022	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Turonian to Coniacian)	Argentina	This was the first abelisaurid found from this specific time period.
Eoabelisaurus	2012	Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	Its arms show a mix of old and new features for an abelisauroid.
Eodromaeus	2011	Ischigualasto Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian	Argentina	Even though it was an early dinosaur, it was well-suited for running fast.
Eoraptor	1993	Ischigualasto Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Argentina	It had different kinds of teeth, suggesting it ate both plants and meat.
Epachthosaurus	1990	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	Its tail bones were concave at the front and convex at the back.
Erythrovenator	2021	Candelária Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian to Norian)	Brazil	It was found in an area where mammal-like reptiles were very common.
Futalognkosaurus	2007	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)	Argentina	It had very deep neck bones with unique shark fin-shaped spines.
Gasparinisaura	1996	Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	We have found both adult and young specimens of this dinosaur.
Genyodectes	1901	Cerro Barcino Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)	Argentina	This dinosaur had very large, sticking-out teeth.
Giganotosaurus	1995	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	It was one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs to ever walk the Earth!
Gnathovorax	2019	Santa Maria Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Brazil	We have a very well-preserved, almost complete skeleton of this dinosaur.
Gondwanatitan	1999	Adamantina Formation, Cambabe Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Brazil	For a titanosaur, its limb bones were quite slender.
Gonkoken	2023	Dorotea Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Chile	This is the southernmost hadrosaur relative found so far.
Guaibasaurus	1999	Caturrita Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)	Brazil	It has features of both early meat-eating dinosaurs and long-necked sauropod relatives.
Gualicho	2016	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It was first thought to have tiny arms with only two fingers, like T. rex.
Guemesia	2022	Los Blanquitos Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	Unlike other abelisaurids, its skull had no fancy bumps or ridges.
Herrerasaurus	1963	Ischigualasto Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Argentina	This was one of the largest early meat-eating dinosaurs.
Huallasaurus	2022	Los Alamitos Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	Its bones were first wrongly identified as belonging to a different dinosaur.
Huinculsaurus	2020	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	This is the youngest known elaphrosaurine dinosaur.
Ibirania	2022	São José do Rio Preto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian to Campanian)	Brazil	It might have been small because of its dry inland home, not island dwarfism.
Ilokelesia	1998	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	Its skull still has some older features of abelisauroids.
Inawentu	2023	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	It had a short neck and a squared snout, similar to dinosaurs that lived earlier.
Ingentia	2018	Quebrada del Barro Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian)	Argentina	This is the earliest known very large sauropod relative.
Irritator	1996	Romualdo Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)	Brazil	It might have been the top predator in its area, hunting both in water and on land.
Isaberrysaura	2017	Los Molles Formation (Middle Jurassic, Bajocian)	Argentina	Its fossil preserves what it ate, including whole seeds!
Isasicursor	2019	Chorrillo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	Four individuals of different ages were found together, suggesting they lived in herds.
Itapeuasaurus	2019	Alcântara Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Brazil	We only know this dinosaur from six backbones.
Jakapil	2022	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	This small, bipedal dinosaur with deep jaws is a new type of ornithischian.
Kaijutitan	2019	Sierra Barrosa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)	Argentina	It's one of the last surviving early titanosaurs.
Katepensaurus	2013	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It's special because of a certain opening in its backbones.
Kelumapusaura	2022	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	We know this dinosaur from the bones of many different individuals.
Kurupi	2021	Marília Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Brazil	Its tail would have been stiff due to the shape of its tail bones.
Lajasvenator	2020	Mulichinco Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian)	Argentina	This is one of the smallest allosauroids known.
Lapampasaurus	2012	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	We have a partial skeleton, but the skull is missing.
Laplatasaurus	1929	Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	Some bony plates were thought to be from this dinosaur, but it's not certain.
Laquintasaura	2014	La Quinta Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)	Venezuela	One study suggested it was an early armored dinosaur, even without armor found.
Lavocatisaurus	2018	Rayoso Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)	Argentina	It might have had a beak made of keratin, like a bird's beak.
Leinkupal	2014	Bajada Colorada Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian)	Argentina	This is the youngest known diplodocid dinosaur.
Leonerasaurus	2011	Las Leoneras Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian to Toarcian)	Argentina	It has a strange mix of old and new features in its bones.
Lessemsaurus	1999	Los Colorados Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)	Argentina	It grew very large, even without the usual features for giant size.
Leyesaurus	2011	Quebrada del Barro Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Toarcian)	Argentina	This dinosaur had an unusually small skull.
Ligabueino	1996	La Amarga Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian)	Argentina	We only know this dinosaur from one very small, young skeleton.
Ligabuesaurus	2006	Lohan Cura Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)	Argentina	Its front limbs were extremely long, like those of brachiosaurids.
Limaysaurus	2004	Candeleros Formation, Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	It had long spines on its backbones.
Llukalkan	2021	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	It might have had excellent hearing due to the shape of its ear.
Loncosaurus	1899	Cardiel Formation?/Metasiete Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	We don't know much about this dinosaur.
Loricosaurus	1929	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It might be the same as Neuquensaurus or Saltasaurus.
Lucianovenator	2017	Quebrada del Barro Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian)	Argentina	It's one of the few meat-eating dinosaurs known from this time.
Macrocollum	2018	Candelária Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)	Brazil	This is one of the oldest sauropod relatives with a very long neck.
Macrogryphosaurus	2007	Sierra Barrosa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)	Argentina	It has a series of bony plates preserved along its body.
Mahuidacursor	2019	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	The main specimen was sexually mature but not fully grown.
Maip	2022	Chorrillo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Argentina	This is the largest, youngest, and most complete megaraptoran known.
Malarguesaurus	2008	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Turonian to Coniacian)	Argentina	It was a large and strongly built dinosaur.
Manidens	2011	Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	Its foot structure suggests it might have lived in trees, with toes for grasping.
Mapusaurus	2006	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	At least seven specimens were found, possibly showing they lived or hunted in packs.
Maxakalisaurus	2006	Adamantina Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Brazil	Unusually for a sauropod, it had ridged teeth.
Megaraptor	1998	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Turonian to Coniacian)	Argentina	It had a large, very curved claw on its first finger.
Mendozasaurus	2003	Sierra Barrosa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)	Argentina	It had round bony plates, probably in rows along its sides.
Menucocelsior	2022	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It lived with other titanosaurs, likely sharing resources in different ways.
Meraxes	2022	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	It had small front limbs, similar to other groups of meat-eating dinosaurs.
Microcoelus	1893	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian to Campanian)	Argentina	It might be the same as Neuquensaurus.
Mirischia	2004	Romualdo Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)	Brazil	Its fossil preserves parts of its intestines!
Murusraptor	2016	Sierra Barrosa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)	Argentina	Its brain was like a T. rex's, but its senses were more like other large meat-eaters.
Mussaurus	1979	Laguna Colorada Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian)	Argentina	We have many specimens from different ages. Young ones might have walked on four legs.
Muyelensaurus	2007	Plottier Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian to Santonian)	Argentina	It was quite slender for a titanosaur.
Narambuenatitan	2011	Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	Its backbones are very similar to those of Epachthosaurus.
Neuquenraptor	2005	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)	Argentina	It might be the same as Unenlagia.
Neuquensaurus	1992	Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina  Uruguay?	This is one of the smallest titanosaurs known.
Nhandumirim	2019	Santa Maria Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Brazil	It was first thought to be a meat-eater, but now it's seen as a sauropod relative.
Niebla	2020	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It had a uniquely shaped shoulder bone, very similar to Carnotaurus.
Ninjatitan	2021	Bajada Colorada Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian)	Argentina	This is the oldest known titanosaur dinosaur.
Noasaurus	1980	Lecho Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It was mistakenly thought to have a sickle-shaped claw, like a raptor.
Nopcsaspondylus	2007	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	It's named from a single backbone that is now lost.
Notoceratops	1918	Lago Colhué Huapí Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It was first thought to be a ceratopsian, but this is now doubted.
Notocolossus	2016	Plottier Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian to Santonian)	Argentina	Unusually for a sauropod, its toe claws were flattened.
Notohypsilophodon	1998	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	We only know this dinosaur from a young skeleton without a skull.
Nullotitan	2019	Chorrillo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It would have shared its habitat with smaller plant-eating dinosaurs.
Orkoraptor	2008	Cerro Fortaleza Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	It had very special teeth, similar to bird-like dinosaurs.
Overoraptor	2020	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It shows features for both flying and running.
Overosaurus	2013	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	This is one of the smallest aeolosaurin dinosaurs known.
Padillasaurus	2015	Paja Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian)	Colombia	It was first thought to be a brachiosaurid, but it could also be a somphospondylian.
Pampadromaeus	2011	Santa Maria Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Brazil	Some features of its jaws are similar to meat-eating dinosaurs.
Pamparaptor	2011	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Turonian to Coniacian)	Argentina	It had a foot bone similar to troodontids.
Panamericansaurus	2010	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	We only know this dinosaur from one partial skeleton.
Pandoravenator	2017	Cañadón Calcáreo Formation (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian to Tithonian)	Argentina	Its place in the dinosaur family tree is not clear.
Panphagia	2009	Ischigualasto Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Argentina	It ate both plants and meat, as shown by its different types of teeth.
Patagonykus	1996	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Turonian to Coniacian)	Argentina	Its discovery helped scientists link different groups of dinosaurs.
Patagopelta	2022	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	This is the first nodosaurid armored dinosaur found in South America.
Patagosaurus	1979	Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	We have bones from both adults and young ones, showing how they grew.
Patagotitan	2017	Cerro Barcino Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)	Argentina	This is one of the largest dinosaurs known from fairly complete remains.
Pellegrinisaurus	1996	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It might have lived inland, unlike other titanosaurs of its time.
Perijasaurus	2022	La Quinta Formation (Early Jurassic to Middle Jurassic, Toarcian to Aalenian)	Colombia	We only know this dinosaur from a single backbone.
Petrobrasaurus	2011	Plottier Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian to Santonian)	Argentina	It shares some features with lognkosaurs, but its exact group is not confirmed.
Piatnitzkysaurus	1979	Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	It's one of the few early meat-eating dinosaurs with a well-preserved braincase.
Pilmatueia	2019	Mulichinco Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian)	Argentina	It had long spines on its neck bones, but not as tall as Amargasaurus.
Pitekunsaurus	2008	Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	We have several bones from different parts of its body, including its braincase.
Powellvenator	2017	Los Colorados Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)	Argentina	Some of its bones were first thought to belong to a different type of reptile.
Puertasaurus	2005	Cerro Fortaleza Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It was huge, but we only have a few bones from it.
Punatitan	2020	Ciénaga del Río Huaco Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It lived at the same time as Bravasaurus but was likely not closely related.
Pycnonemosaurus	2002	Cachoeira do Bom Jardim Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Brazil	This might be the largest abelisaurid dinosaur known.
Quetecsaurus	2014	Lisandro Formation (Late Cretaceous, Turonian)	Argentina	Its upper arm bone had a unique shape.
Quilmesaurus	2001	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It had strong, thick legs despite its small size.
Rayososaurus	1996	Candeleros Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)	Argentina	It's very similar to Rebbachisaurus, even though we only have a few bones.
Rinconsaurus	2003	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	Its tail bones had a strange repeating pattern of shapes.
Riojasaurus	1969	Los Colorados Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)	Argentina	Although often shown on four legs, its shoulder bones suggest it might have walked on two.
Rocasaurus	2000	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It was small for a sauropod but very strongly built.
Saltasaurus	1980	Lecho Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It had bony armor plates on its skin, like large round bumps connected by smaller plates.
Sanjuansaurus	2010	Ischigualasto Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Argentina	It lived at the same time as Herrerasaurus but was likely a different species.
Santanaraptor	1999	Romualdo Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)	Brazil	Its fossil preserves soft tissues, like skin, muscle, and possibly blood vessels!
Sarmientosaurus	2016	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	Its inner ear suggests it held its head downwards, possibly eating low-growing plants.
Saturnalia	1999	Santa Maria Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)	Brazil	We know this dinosaur from at least three partial skeletons.
Secernosaurus	1979	Lago Colhué Huapí Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	It would have lived in a dry, gypsum desert.
Sektensaurus	2019	Lago Colhué Huapí Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	This is the first non-hadrosaurid ornithopod found in central Patagonia.
Skorpiovenator	2009	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It had an unusually short and deep skull.
Spectrovenator	2020	Quiricó Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian)	Brazil	Its main fossil was found underneath a sauropod skeleton.
Staurikosaurus	1970	Santa Maria Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian to Norian)	Brazil	Only two specimens are known, suggesting it was rare in its environment.
Stegouros	2021	Dorotea Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Chile	It had a unique "macuahuitl" tail weapon, made of connected bony plates.
Tachiraptor	2014	La Quinta Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)	Venezuela	It's closely related to ceratosaurs and tetanurans.
Talenkauen	2004	Cerro Fortaleza Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	An adult and a baby were found together, suggesting they cared for their young.
Tapuiasaurus	2011	Quiricó Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian)	Brazil	It's one of the few titanosaurs for which we have a complete skull.
Taurovenator	2016	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	We only know this dinosaur from one bone behind its eye. It might be the same as Mapusaurus.
Tehuelchesaurus	1999	Cañadón Calcáreo Formation (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian to Tithonian)	Argentina	Its fossil preserves impressions of its scaly skin!
Thanos	2020	São José do Rio Preto Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Brazil	We only know this dinosaur from a single backbone. Its name honors the Marvel villain Thanos.
Tralkasaurus	2020	Huincul Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It has a mix of old and new features from different abelisauroid groups.
Tratayenia	2018	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	This is one of the youngest megaraptorans known.
Traukutitan	2011	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	Its tail bones kept some older features despite living later in time.
Trigonosaurus	2005	Serra da Galga Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Brazil	It might be the same as Baurutitan.
Triunfosaurus	2017	Rio Piranhas Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian)	Brazil	It was first called a titanosaur, but it also has similarities to other early sauropods.
Tyrannotitan	2005	Cerro Barcino Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian)	Argentina	Unlike other carcharodontosaurids, its hip and tail bones were not filled with air.
Uberabatitan	2008	Serra da Galga Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Brazil	Several large individuals of this dinosaur have been found.
Unaysaurus	2004	Caturrita Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian to Norian)	Brazil	This was the first plateosaurid-like sauropod relative found in Brazil.
Unenlagia	1997	Portezuelo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)	Argentina	Its shoulder structure suggests it might have been able to flap its arms.
Unquillosaurus	1979	Los Blanquitos Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)	Argentina	It has been suggested to be a dromaeosaurid or a carcharodontosaurid.
Velocisaurus	1991	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	Its third foot bone was unusually thick, possibly helping it run fast.
Vespersaurus	2019	Rio Paraná Formation (Cretaceous)	Brazil	It had raised claws on its second and fourth toes, making it walk on one toe, possibly for desert life.
Viavenator	2016	Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Late Cretaceous, Santonian)	Argentina	It might have used quick head movements and steady gaze when hunting.
Volkheimeria	1979	Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)	Argentina	It lived alongside at least three other long-necked sauropods.
Willinakaqe	2010	Allen Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)	Argentina	The original description mixed bones from two different dinosaurs.
Xenotarsosaurus	1986	Bajo Barreal Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)	Argentina	It had unusually shaped ankle bones.
Yamanasaurus	2019	Río Playas Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Ecuador	This is the northernmost saltasaurine found so far.
Ypupiara	2021	Serra da Galga Formation (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)	Brazil	Its teeth suggest it might have eaten fish.
Zapalasaurus	2006	La Amarga Formation (Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian to Aptian)	Argentina	We have an incomplete skeleton, including some tail bones.
Zupaysaurus	2003	Los Colorados Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)	Argentina	It's often shown with head crests, but these might actually be misplaced bones from its eye area.

Other Interesting Dinosaurs

Some dinosaurs are known from very few bones, or their names are still being debated by scientists. Here are a few:

• Angaturama limai: We only have the tip of its snout. It might be the same as Irritator, or it could be a unique species.
• "Bayosaurus pubica": This abelisaurid is known from some body bones.
• Oxalaia quilombensis: This dinosaur might be the same as the famous Spinosaurus.
• "Ubirajara jubatus": This dinosaur fossil showed impressions of feathers, including special display feathers. However, its description was pulled back because the fossil might have been illegally taken from Brazil.

Timeline of South American Dinosaurs

This timeline shows when some of these dinosaurs lived. Time is measured in millions of years (Ma). Red means they were meat-eaters, green means they ate plants, and blue means they ate both.

See also

• List of birds of South America