A rare dinosaur skeleton was discovered in southern Tunisia
Researchers: The discovered fossils indicate the presence of this type of dinosaur in the region about 150 million years ago (Getty)
Tunisian researchers reported that the skeleton of a rare species of dinosaur was discovered in the city of Tataouine on the outskirts of the desert in the south of the country.
Local media reports indicated that researchers from the Italian University of Bologna discovered the rare skeleton in cooperation with the Tunisian Bureau of Mines, after excavations that extended between 2011 and 2013 in the “Tawil Al-Marai” mountain in Tataouine Governorate.
These excavations previously showed the presence of fossil remains of a dinosaur tail dating back about 110 million years, and fossilized footprints similar to discoveries made in Montana and Oklahoma in the United States.
Media sources quoted the Italian researcher specializing in dinosaur sciences and paleontology, Frederico Fanti, as saying, “These discovered fossils indicate the presence of this type of dinosaur in the region about 150 million years ago, where it lived like crocodiles and hippopotamuses on the banks of rivers and forests extending during that era.” "Like he lived with a herd similar to his own kind."
Another Italian researcher explained that the dinosaur's skeleton contains cavities in its bone pieces, which explains its use of them to store air. It also suggests that this species of dinosaur was lightweight, unlike other species.
The researchers named the rare dinosaur "Tataouine Hannibalus" after the name of the city of Tataouine and the historical leader of the armies of Carthage, Hannibal.
Source : Deutsche Welle