Dinosaur fossils in Zimbabwe
The Paleobiology Database records 79 non-avian dinosaur finds in Zimbabwe, from 12 genera. The oldest is Saturnalia from the Carnian age, about 237 million years old. The youngest is Brachiosaurus from the Tithonian age, as young as about 143.1 million years. Ages are the range the database gives for the rocks, so a find can be tens of millions of years across.
- 79finds
- 12genera
- 237oldest, million years ago
- 143.1youngest, million years ago
It ranks 31st of 93 countries on the map by number of finds. The most recorded dinosaurs are Massospondylus (14), Megapnosaurus (5) and Mbiresaurus (4). The rock formation with the most finds is called Forest Sandstone, with 21.
Which dinosaurs were found in Zimbabwe?
The genera with the most finds here:
| Dinosaur | Finds |
|---|---|
| Massospondylus | 14 |
| Megapnosaurus | 5 |
| Mbiresaurus | 4 |
| Camarasaurus | 2 |
| Thecodontosaurus | 2 |
| Amphicoelias | 1 |
| Barosaurus | 1 |
| Brachiosaurus | 1 |
| Dicraeosaurus | 1 |
| Musankwa | 1 |
Rock formations with dinosaur finds in Zimbabwe
| Formation | Finds |
|---|---|
| Forest Sandstone | 21 |
| Pebbly Arkose | 14 |
| Gokwe | 13 |
| Kadzi | 11 |
| Mpandi | 10 |
| Dande Sandstone | 7 |
| Nyamandhlovu Sandstones | 1 |
| Upper Karroo Sandstone | 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.