Unveiling the Diet of Sauropods: Insights from Fossil Stomach Contents

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Current Biology on June 10, 2025, a research team led by Dr. Stephen Poropat from Curtin University's Western Australian Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Centre has unveiled the first recorded stomach contents of a sauropod dinosaur, specifically a specimen named Judy. The fossil, estimated to be 95 million years old, was excavated in 2017 from a property near Winton, Australia, by a collaboration between museum staff and citizen scientists from the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History.

The research team analyzed Judy's stomach contents, discovering remnants of pinnules and bracts from tall conifer trees, alongside leaves and fruiting bodies from various smaller seed ferns and flowering plants. Dr. Poropat noted that this significant finding sheds light on the diverse dietary habits of sauropods, which were the largest terrestrial animals to ever roam the Earth.

"The stomach contents we found confirm that sauropods, particularly subadult species like Judy, were capable of feeding on a wide range of plants from different heights, thereby adapting to varying environmental conditions throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods," stated Dr. Poropat. This adaptability, he suggests, was crucial to their long-term survival in changing ecosystems.

Historically, since the late 19th century, palaeontologists have categorized sauropods primarily as herbivores, yet the specific plants they consumed, along with the heights at which they foraged, had remained largely speculative until now. Dr. Poropat emphasized that the bulk-feeding method identified in the research resembles feeding behaviors still observed in modern herbivorous reptiles and birds, where food is swallowed whole and digested over extended periods, sometimes up to two weeks.

This study not only confirms previous hypotheses regarding the dietary patterns of sauropods but also highlights the importance of understanding these prehistoric creatures' ecological roles. "Studying their diet is vital for grasping their impact on Earth's ecosystems, particularly concerning plant life and other herbivorous species during their reign," Dr. Poropat explained.

Furthermore, John Curtin Distinguished Professor Kliti Grice, Founding Director of the WA-OIGC, added that this is the first instance where biomarkers and molecular evidence have been identified in the gut contents of a sauropod. Utilizing advanced organic geochemical techniques, the team confirmed the presence of both angiosperms and gymnosperms in the dinosaur's diet, marking a significant advancement in palaeontological research.

The full research paper, titled "Fossilised gut contents elucidate the feeding habits of sauropod dinosaurs," is available online for further reading. As the study progresses, researchers hope to uncover more fossilized stomach contents from sauropods to better understand how their dietary habits may have evolved throughout their lives.

This pivotal research was funded through a 2021 ARC Laureate Fellowship awarded to Professor Grice, which aims to interpret molecular records in extraordinarily preserved fossils. The findings may also pave the way for further studies into the dietary patterns and ecological interactions of other prehistoric species, enhancing our understanding of ancient ecosystems and their dynamics.