---
title: Gasosaurus  - Noi Dinosauri
description: Unearth the secrets of Gasosaurus, a swift apex predator of the Middle Jurassic. Step into the ancient Asian forests and explore its lethal anatomy today!
author: Angelo Denitto
url: https://noidinosauri.it/en/dinosaurs/saurischians/theropods/gasosaurus
---

![](https://noidinosauri.it/images/encyclopedia/dinosaurs/gasosaurus/Gasosaurus.webp)

## Curiosity - Did you know?

In the realm of dinosaur taxonomy, *Gasosaurus* remains an elusive ghost. Because scientists only have a single, fragmentary skeleton to work with, its exact placement on the theropod family tree constantly shifts. This makes it one of the most intensely studied—yet least understood—dinosaurs of the Asian Jurassic. Every modern reassessment yields valuable new data but simultaneously raises unexpected questions. Consequently, its exact evolutionary relationship to other iconic predators remains the subject of lively and passionate scientific debate to this day.

What does the name Gasosaurus mean?

The name *Gasosaurus constructus* translates to "constructing gas lizard." It was named in honor of the Chinese energy company that respectfully paused its extraction facility construction in 1985 to allow paleontologists to safely excavate the fossilized remains.

How big was the Gasosaurus?

Despite older, exaggerated estimates, modern biomechanical science shows it was a medium-sized, lightweight predator. A fully grown adult measured up to four meters in length and weighed approximately 200 kilograms.

What did the Gasosaurus eat?

It was an agile, carnivorous ambush predator. Its diet likely consisted of young sauropods, small bipedal dinosaurs, and juvenile armored dinosaurs like *Huayangosaurus*, using its highly serrated teeth to slice through their flesh.

IMPORTANT - Some statements regarding behavior, coloration, and sensory abilities reflect ongoing scientific hypotheses, not established certainties.