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Description
Saltasaurus is a relatively small titanosaurid from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina. It was the first sauropod discovered with direct evidence of osteoderms, probably placed irregularly on the dorsal area of the animal. We now understand that osteoderms were widely present inside Titanosauria: their function was thought to be a defensive strategy against predation, but the low density and structure of these epidermal bones would not have posed an important protection. Thermoregulatory functions proposed for other archosaurs are also unlikely. Possible explanations for their presence would be as ornamental structures or, more importantly, as mineral reserves used in case of need, such as the creation of egg shells prior to laying, healing of bone fractures, unfavorable seasonal environmental conditions and so on.
The skull shape in my reconstruction is not clearly recognizable, and this is due to the abundant additional tissue I decided to place in front of the bony nostrils, as proposed by many (in particular by the always incredible Mark Witton's blog, specifically referring to the considerations about Diplodocus: markwitton-com.blogspot.com/20… ).

This drawing was created with the support and advice of Cafè Paleontologico.

In addition to the few photographs of the fossils, the anatomy is based partially on Rick-raptor's Saltasaurus (www.deviantart.com/rick-raptor… ) and SpinoInWonderland Austrosaurus' skeletals (www.deviantart.com/spinoinwond… ).
All the considerations about osteoderms are a citation to Curry Rogers, K. et al. Sauropod dinosaur osteoderms from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. Nat. Commun.2:564 doi: 10.1038/ncomms1578 (2011).
Length: 12-13 m
Bonaparte & Powell, 1980

Muscioni Marco, 2018
Graphite on paper

Special thanks to and

Please do NOT use my work, it is under copyright.

Description
Saltasaurus is a relatively small titanosaurid from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina. It was the first sauropod discovered with direct evidence of osteoderms, probably placed irregularly on the dorsal area of the animal. We now understand that osteoderms were widely present inside Titanosauria: their function was thought to be a defensive strategy against predation, but the low density and structure of these epidermal bones would not have posed an important protection. Thermoregulatory functions proposed for other archosaurs are also unlikely. Possible explanations for their presence would be as ornamental structures or, more importantly, as mineral reserves used in case of need, such as the creation of egg shells prior to laying, healing of bone fractures, unfavorable seasonal environmental conditions and so on.
The skull shape in my reconstruction is not clearly recognizable, and this is due to the abundant additional tissue I decided to place in front of the bony nostrils, as proposed by many (in particular by the always incredible Mark Witton's blog, specifically referring to the considerations about Diplodocus: markwitton-com.blogspot.com/20… ).

This drawing was created with the support and advice of Cafè Paleontologico.

In addition to the few photographs of the fossils, the anatomy is based partially on Rick-raptor's Saltasaurus (www.deviantart.com/rick-raptor… ) and SpinoInWonderland Austrosaurus' skeletals (www.deviantart.com/spinoinwond… ).
All the considerations about osteoderms are a citation to Curry Rogers, K. et al. Sauropod dinosaur osteoderms from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. Nat. Commun.2:564 doi: 10.1038/ncomms1578 (2011).
Length: 12-13 m
Bonaparte & Powell, 1980

Muscioni Marco, 2018
Graphite on paper

Special thanks to and

Please do NOT use my work, it is under copyright.