Walking in the Paths of Righteousness with Dinosaurs

(Article in progress)

Dinosaur tracks are truly remarkable and can be found almost all over the world. In fact, they have been found in over one thousand locations. Tracks provide rich sources of information to paleontologists on dinosaur behavior, movement, foot anatomy, and geographic distributions. Many excellent dinosaur track and trace exhibits are now available to the public through parks and museums. Standing near the footprints of these amazing prehistoric beasts can be a thrilling experience!

The rocks exposed in Lesotho are almost entirely of Triassic and Jurassic age, belonging to the Karoo Supergroup. The Karoo sediments were largely deposited in subcontinental marine environments, or as alluvial outwash plains (think Mississippi River Delta), These sedimentary rocks sometimes expose the tracks of dinosaurs that trod the primeval shores, and are becoming popular tourist attractions for Lesotho trekkers during the summer.

Lesothosaurus is a member of the herbivorous clade of dinosaurs, the Ornithischia. It was named by paleontologist Peter M. Galton in 1978, the name meaning "lizard from Lesotho". The genus is monotypic, meaning there is only one valid species, Lesothosaurus diagnosticus, within the genus.

Lesothosaurus was originally considered an ornithopod. However, more recent work by paleontologist Paul Sereno has suggested that it may actually represent one of the most primitive of all known ornithischian dinosaurs. Lesothosaurus was a small (one meter in length), bipedal plant-eater. Skeletal remains suggest that it was a fast runner. The small skull was short and flat, with large eye sockets. The hind limbs of Lesothosaurus were much longer than the fore limbs, which were quite short with small 'hands'.