Rare Dinosaur Trackway in Colorado Reveals Limping Sauropod from 150 Million Years Ago
OURAY, Colo. — In a remarkable paleontological discovery, researchers have analyzed a 150 million-year-old dinosaur trackway near Ouray, Colorado, revealing evidence that the sauropod dinosaur responsible for the footprints may have been limping. This looping trackway, stretching over 310 feet and consisting of approximately 130 fossilized footprints, is the only known surviving example of its kind in the world, offering an unprecedented glimpse into dinosaur behavior during the Late Jurassic period.
Scientists from the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia announced the findings in a press release last month, highlighting the rarity of such a trackway. According to UQ paleontologist Anthony Romilio, long, looping dinosaur trackways are “very rare,” with only two previously documented worldwide — one in Colorado and another in China. Unfortunately, a rockslide destroyed the Chinese site, leaving Colorado’s trackway as the sole surviving example.
The footprints belong to a sauropod, a group of large, four-legged, long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs that roamed North America during the Jurassic. While the exact species remains unidentified, Romilio suggested that Camarasaurus and Diplodocus, both known to inhabit the region at the time, are likely candidates. These species exhibit distinct weight distributions: Camarasaurus was “front-wheel drive,” with more weight over its shoulders and front feet, resulting in deeper handprints, while Diplodocus was “rear-wheel drive,” with weight shifted toward its hips, producing deeper footprints.
What makes this trackway particularly intriguing is the evidence suggesting the dinosaur was limping. Variations in footprint depth and stride patterns imply an irregular gait, possibly caused by injury. “It is difficult to determine whether other dinosaurs were present at the time,” Romilio noted, cautioning against overinterpretation. “The information doesn’t yet indicate a confrontation or interaction with another dinosaur.” Nevertheless, the looping path itself is unusual, and the possibility that the dinosaur was avoiding something or navigating around an obstacle remains a compelling hypothesis.
Fossilized footprints and trackways provide unique insights into dinosaur locomotion and behavior that skeletal remains alone cannot offer. These traces capture moments in time when the animal was alive, revealing how it walked, ran, or even limped. The Colorado trackway’s length and preservation allow researchers to undertake detailed statistical analyses, enhancing understanding of sauropod movement.
This discovery adds to the growing body of knowledge about dinosaur biomechanics and paleoecology. For more information about dinosaur trackways and paleontological research, the National Park Service provides extensive resources. The U.S. Geological Survey also supports research into fossil sites and geological formations that preserve such trackways.
As paleontologists continue to study this rare looping trackway, the findings underscore the importance of preserving fossil sites and advancing scientific techniques to unlock the mysteries of prehistoric life. The Colorado trackway stands as a testament to the dynamic history of Earth’s ancient inhabitants and the stories their footprints still tell after millions of years.
For ongoing updates on paleontological discoveries and dinosaur research, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers a wealth of information, while the Natural History Museum in London provides global perspectives on fossil trackways and dinosaur locomotion.
Leave a Reply