CSI: Cretaceous Science Investigation

The Official State Dinosaur of Texas

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Guiding Question

What can dinosaur fossils tell us about how Texas looked when they roamed the Earth?

HCR 16, 81st R.S. (2009), designating Paluxysaurus jonesi as the official Lone Star State Dinosaur, replacing Brachiosaur Sauropod, Pleurocoelus.

Its 26-foot-long neck and high shoulders helped it reach tall vegetation. Paluxysuarus had nostrils on top of its snout, and its slender teeth were used for grabbing food rather than chewing it. It measured 60 feet long, weighed approximately 30 tons, and stood 12 feet tall at the shoulder.

The name, Paluxysaurus jonesi, refers to the nearby town of Paluxy, Texas, and the Paluxy River, both located near the W.W. Jones Ranch where the fossils were discovered. The area is also famous for dinosaur trackways, including those found along the Paluxy River at Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose.

Initially, the fossils were believed to be that of Pleurocoelus, another Cretaceous period sauropod. However, a study published in 2007 revealed that the fossils previously attributed to Pleurocoelus belonged to a new species.

In order to recognize the significance of this paleontological discovery, Paluxysaurus jonesi was named the official Texas State Dinosaur through House Concurrent Resolution No. 16, approved by the 81st Texas Legislature on June 19, 2009.

Additional Resources

Watch Paluxysaurus jonesi be installed in the atrium at the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History!