Dinosaur fossils in New Mexico
The Paleobiology Database records 832 non-avian dinosaur finds in New Mexico, from 56 genera. The oldest is Krzyzanowskisaurus hunti from the Carnian age, about 237 million years old. The youngest is Alamosaurus sanjuanensis from the Lancian age, as young as about 66 million years. Ages are the range the database gives for the rocks, so a find can be tens of millions of years across.
- 832finds
- 56genera
- 237oldest, million years ago
- 66youngest, million years ago
It ranks 3rd of 36 US states on the map by number of finds, with 15% of the finds in the United States. The most recorded dinosaurs are Alamosaurus (22), Coelophysis (18) and Kritosaurus (17). The rock formation with the most finds is called Fruitland/Kirtland, with 258.
Which dinosaurs were found in New Mexico?
The genera with the most finds here:
| Dinosaur | Finds |
|---|---|
| Alamosaurus | 22 |
| Coelophysis | 18 |
| Kritosaurus | 17 |
| Parasaurolophus | 14 |
| Pentaceratops | 12 |
| Glyptodontopelta | 11 |
| Richardoestesia | 9 |
| Allosaurus | 8 |
| Paronychodon | 7 |
| Triceratops | 7 |
Rock formations with dinosaur finds in New Mexico
| Formation | Finds |
|---|---|
| Fruitland/Kirtland | 258 |
| Kirtland | 222 |
| Ojo Alamo | 92 |
| Fruitland | 76 |
| Morrison | 57 |
| Chinle | 30 |
| Menefee | 16 |
| Moreno Hill | 9 |
| Petrified Forest | 9 |
| Hall Lake | 8 |
Other US states to explore
- Wyoming (1,040)
- Montana (985)
- Utah (602)
- Colorado (484)
- Texas (448)
- North Dakota (237)
- Arizona (167)
- South Dakota (167)
- New Jersey (70)
- Oklahoma (62)
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.