A recent discovery of fossil eggshells suggests that some of the largest dinosaurs in history may have thrived in a cooler climate far from the equator. Despite their colossal size, titanosaurs could not rely on incubating their volleyball-sized eggs by sitting on them, as they were too large. A new study, led by University of Tsukuba paleontologist Kohei Tanaka and published in Royal Society Open Science, reveals that titanosaurs likely employed a method similar to modern crocodiles to keep their eggs warm for hatching, burying them in piles of warm decomposing vegetation.
Titanosaurs, immense long-necked, plant-eating dinosaurs weighing up to 75 tonnes, were once widespread across the globe. Fossil eggs known as Fusioolithus, associated with titanosaurs, have been discovered in the Chorrillo Formation in southern Argentina, dating back to the Late Cretaceous period. This finding challenges previous assumptions about titanosaurs’ nesting behavior, as the region’s climate, akin to present-day New York City, was significantly cooler than expected for such large creatures.
Research indicates that titanosaurs likely buried their eggs to maintain warmth for the embryos to develop and hatch. This strategy, similar to those used by modern crocodiles and some birds, involves utilizing heat generated by the decomposition of organic matter. By examining the microscopic pores on the eggshells, scientists found evidence supporting the theory that titanosaurs adapted to diverse environments for nesting and reproduction, showcasing their remarkable ability to thrive across different latitudes.