Dinosaur fossils in South Africa
The Paleobiology Database records 228 non-avian dinosaur finds in South Africa, from 26 genera. The oldest is Plateosauravus cullingworthi from the Norian age, about 227.3 million years old. The youngest is Iyuku raathi from the Valanginian age, as young as about 132.6 million years. Ages are the range the database gives for the rocks, so a find can be tens of millions of years across.
- 228finds
- 26genera
- 227.3oldest, million years ago
- 132.6youngest, million years ago
It ranks 17th of 93 countries on the map by number of finds. The most recorded dinosaurs are Massospondylus (61), Heterodontosaurus (6) and Eucnemesaurus (4). The rock formation with the most finds is called Elliot, with 173.
Which dinosaurs were found in South Africa?
The genera with the most finds here:
| Dinosaur | Finds |
|---|---|
| Massospondylus | 61 |
| Heterodontosaurus | 6 |
| Eucnemesaurus | 4 |
| Lycorhinus | 4 |
| Melanorosaurus | 4 |
| Syntarsus | 4 |
| Lesothosaurus | 3 |
| Antetonitrus | 2 |
| Blikanasaurus | 2 |
| Dracovenator | 2 |
Rock formations with dinosaur finds in South Africa
| Formation | Finds |
|---|---|
| Elliot | 173 |
| Kirkwood | 23 |
| Clarens | 12 |
| Bosbokpoort | 4 |
| Sundays River | 3 |
| Bushveld Sandstone | 2 |
| Enon | 1 |
| Lisbon | 1 |
| Saint Lucia | 1 |
Other countries to explore
See the sea floor where marine reptiles swam: oceanfloormap.com →
Before you go fossil hunting. A dot shows where a find was recorded, not where you may dig. Many fossil sites are on private or protected land and collecting rules differ by country. Check the rules before collecting and never dig on protected sites.