Iguanodonts were among the most successful dinosaurs, populating almost every continent. Among the iguanodonts was Macrogryphosaurus, which roamed South America and fed on the plants that lived there. Macrogryphosaurus may not be as famous as it's European and North American relatives, but it was just as common, making the plains of the southern continent its land.

Basic info

Meaning of name: Macrogryphosaurus means "big enigmatic lizard".

Time of existence: Macrogryphosaurus lived in the late Cretaceous, 89.3 million to 85.8 million years ago.

Diet: Like its relatives in Europe and North America, Macrogryphosaurus was a herbivore, and fed on the many plants that surrounded them, such as conifers and shrubs.

Threats: Macrogryphosaurus was fed on by large predatory dinosaurs that surrounded them.

Size: Macrogryphosaurus grew up to 20 feet.

Attributes: Much like its relatives, Macrogryphosaurus had teeth that were able to chew up the plants they ate. They also possibly traveled in herds. However, not much is known about this enigmatic species.

A Macrogryphosaurus defends her baby from a pair of Giganotosaurus

Appearances in the Walking with... series

Chased by Dinosaurs

Macrogryphosaurus briefly appears in the short opening, where it is seen walking right in front of the camera.

Episode 2-Land of Giants

Macrogryphosaurus is briefly seen in the opening synopsis, running in front of Nigel's jeep. In the show, they are only referred to as "iguanodonts", though this is because Macrogryphosaurus was not named until 2007, four years after the show was released. Macrogryphosaurus is a recurring animal in the episode, where a trio of them are first seen running as Nigel Marven pulls up to his camp in a jeep, and they let out a trumpeting alarm call. As Nigel searches for the Argentinosaurus herd, he decides to get to high ground, and ends up spotting a herd of Macrogryphosaurus browsing the forest nearby. Nigel explains how the iguanodonts were among the most successful of dinosaurs, lasting millions of years, before leaving to continue his search. The next day, Nigel is tracking a predator that wrecked his camp when he hears a commotion and spots a terrified Macrogryphosaurus running through the forest. He soon comes across a stream with a blood trail, and is led to a badly wounded individual. Nigel kneels down to observe it, and the dinosaur falls over in pain, having a massive gash in its thigh from either being bitten or clawed. Lucky for her, she would most likely be okay, as they can recover from wounds like this. Nigel leaves the injured animal in peace to follow some fresher blood, and soon comes across a Giganotosaurus feeding on a dead Macrogryphosaurus. As Nigel observes, the Giganotosaurus decides to pick up his kill and leaves the area, carrying the dead iguanodont away. A trio of Macrogryphosaurus are briefly seen as Nigel flies his plane to search for the herd, running in fear of the aircraft as it swoops overhead. After Nigel finds the herd and sets up camp, he follows them in his jeep, coming across a running Macrogryphosaurus in front of him, stating how beautiful it is, moments before realizing that the herbivore is running from a giant, hungry Giganotosaurus, though luckily both the Macrogryphosaurus and Nigel escape the predator. This is also Macrogryphosaurus' final appearance in the episode.

Macrogryphosaurus running from Nigel's jeep

Chased by Sea Monsters

Episode 1-Dangerous Seas

Macrogryphosaurus briefly appears on the time map before the Ordivician segment.

Episode 2-Into the Jaws of Death

Like in the previous episode, Macrogryphosaurus can briefly be seen on the time map before the Eocene segment.

Episode 3-To Hell...and Back?

Like the previous episodes, Macrogryphosaurus is only seen on the time map before the Jurassic segment.